Every month we speak to prominent professionals working in, around, and for the legal sector in the UK, uncovering their greatest inspiration, what makes them tick in a work capacity and out, and their own career paths and journey to the top of their game.

Interview with: Allan Sumner | Partner | Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand

WHAT HAS YOUR MORNING LOOKED LIKE?

I am an early bird. I always start early when the office is quiet. I can get my thinking and drafting done while it’s quiet and without interruptions. So this morning I’ve been looking through an option agreement.

HOW IS BUSINESS AT THE MOMENT?

It’s still incredibly strong.

HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN ‘LAW’ AS A CHOSEN CAREER?

No! When I finished University I wanted to do something with wildlife but my Mum told me that was a hobby and not a job and that I needed to ‘knuckle down’. Thirty years later I am still knuckling down…

WHAT IS THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

I think I’ve generally done OK over the years in helping clients achieve their objectives. I’ve been lucky to be involved with trainees too and I’m always pleased to see them come through and prosper. I would also like to think that I’m OK to deal with on the other side of transactions.

WHO WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?

Probably like a lot of people my parents. Their work-ethic, honesty and how much they cared.

WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?

I moved into crime fiction a few years ago, because it’s so easy to read. So at the moment DI Nick Dixon in Damien Boyd’s ‘Dead Level‘ on the Kindle.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO THE START OF YOUR CAREER IN THE LEGAL SECTOR?

You grow up and develop through stages of your career both as a person and in the job. I have tried to stick with what I think is right, so the advice would be just that. Be yourself and treat people as you would like to be treated.

HOW HAS THE LEGAL SECTOR CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?

It’s changed hugely since I first started and Covid accelerated some of those changes. Obviously, technology has been a huge driver and will continue to be so. Lockdown projected many firms into more modern working practices. On the downside, we spend far too much time behind computer screens and less face-to-face.

OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?

Wildlife and the natural world. I got into running a while back and that’s been great, I’ve had some really great adventures with friends and family.

AND FINALLY, YOUR GO-TO PODCAST?

Not sure I get much time for these but sports-related ones, cycling, rugby, and football. Really enjoy cycling’s grand tours, so those especially.

Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand is a full-service private, corporate and commercial law firm with offices in Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale. With over 200 years of legal expertise, they have been providing legal services with the highest level of legal skills and guidance across the North West & further afield, making them one of the most well-known and highly sought-after law firms in their area.