Spotlight on Philip Cockram

We find out why our Managing Partner Philip Cockram joined the profession and why he got a glass of water thrown over him in court!

1. What made you enter law?

My mother was a lawyer and, as a child, watching her pore over old cases and statements in the evenings caught my imagination. As I studied and entered the profession, I liked the history and tradition of law and the unusual characters it seemed to attract. I was told by the daughter of one of the early partners in the Firm that her father had come home one evening and told her how he had to call the local police to the office to deal with one of his clients. Apparently, his client had questioned the bill for legal services and the partner had marched the client out of his office, pushed him down a flight of stairs to the front door and called the police to take him away. Things have changed quite a bit since then…

My father was an accountant and figures and money never seemed quite as interesting. Ironically, my job now is all about budgets and figures and involves very little law.

2. “When I grow up I want to be….” As a child, what did you want to be?

I grew up with lots of animals around the house and I always wanted to be a vet. I’m not great with blood though.

3. What is your day to day role?

I am responsible for setting the vision of the Firm and overall implementation of our strategy and business plan. This can range from reasonably high level discussion on mergers and acquisitions and joint venture opportunities to very much more routine tasks such as the shade of white of our notepaper and envelopes to really interesting parts like choosing the art work for our offices.

4. What do you like to do to relax?

I have two young children – Lily who is 5 and Oscar who is 2. They seem to take up all of our spare time at the moment so “relaxation time” tends to be dressing up dolls, having make up put on me or chasing around the local park. I run quite a bit to take time out but I seem to keep forgetting I am getting older and keep injuring myself by over doing things.

5. What is your most memorable moment in your law career?

Although a somewhat negative memory, probably having a glass of water thrown at me by a judge at Romford County Court when I was a trainee solicitor when I hadn’t bought the right legal text to the hearing I was conducting.

To find out more about Philip and contact him please visit his staff profile page.