It’s been a year since Emma Haymes joined the ranks at Pannone Corporate as a senior associate.
Having worked inhouse at FTSE 100 company, Vodafone Group plc, for almost seven years, she brought another perspective to the commercial dispute resolution team. Like many, she took the traditional route into law. After studying law at Newcastle University and completing her LPC and training contract, she qualified with Eversheds Sutherland. However, her career journey could have been very different.
“It was a toss-up for me, between something creative like an art foundation course, or something academic,” explains Emma. “I decided I wanted the mental challenge and that law was going to provide that. I just made sure I painted in my spare time, and still do!”
While Emma is carving a successful career in law, choosing to relocate back to the North and return to private practice, her love of art has never wavered. “If I wasn’t practising law, I’d most likely be painting across different countries, living the life of a nomadic artist,” admits Emma. In fact, her love of art goes beyond canvas, with Emma forging a successful ‘sideline’ as a jewellery maker, with her creations being worn by Kylie Minogue!
Combining the two allows her to satisfy her creative streak, while also having a wider impact on the successes of businesses through her litigation work.
Variety is clearly key for Emma, but what does a typical day look like Pannone?
“Planning a list of things to tackle, that changes completely as the day unfolds,” jokes Emma. “Seriously, there is always a list of work varying in complexity, length and subject matter. I will usually try and get stuck into the larger tasks straight away which might be client advice, letters to opponents or instructions to counsel. There is usually some client contact in there too, a meeting or a call. That is the part I enjoy the most. I am also involved in the Pannone x IHL initiative, which is aimed at strengthening our relationships with our inhouse lawyer community, given my background, helping to cultivate a network of support, legal updates and conferences to in-house lawyers.”
Emma’s career ambitions are uncomplicated – she wants to work hard, be really good at what she does, trusted and to build great client relationships. “I trust that progression will naturally follow and I hope it leads me to partnership one day,” she says.
Her own ambition is similarly reflected in the ambitions she has for the profession.
“In order for the legal profession to better support clients, it’s essential that we know our audience really, really, well,” she says. “It’s all about understanding our clients both personally and professionally. What do they need (professional), how quickly do they need it (professional) and in what manner should it be delivered (personal).”
With that attitude and approach, combined with her artistic flair, Emma has certainly made her mark in the first 12 months at Pannone.