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: Christian Butler | Partner | Hay & Kilner LLP

WHAT HAS YOUR MORNING LOOKED LIKE?

5.30am start, readied myself for the day and then rallied my three children out of bed to start to get ready for school. I arrived at work just after 7.30am and after a quick catch up with my colleagues, I planned my work for the day and considered work flow for the week for both myself and my team. I then responded to e-mails received over the weekend before preparing for and then attending a client meeting at 10.00am taking me through to lunch.

HOW IS BUSINESS AT THE MOMENT?

Busy. In family law this is bittersweet knowing that more people are experiencing difficulties in their lives, but at the same time, I am grateful that they are trusting me and my team to help them.

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

No, growing up I dreamt of being an actor or a doctor. Whilst I enjoyed acting, I never followed the dream beyond some am-dram and I’m sure there are some videos of my “acting years” floating around which would amuse many of my friends and colleagues, plus a realisation that I am not a huge fan of blood in my late teens quickly ruled out a future in medicine!

My love of the ocean and diving saw me undertake a degree in Marine Biology. I soon realised, unfortunately, that spending all my time on boats was not ideal as I get seasick. Lab work was also not for me. I worked for several years throughout my undergraduate degree in the hospitality industry and flourished in customer service and people management roles. I found myself particularly adept at dealing with more difficult customers.

My experiences ultimately led me to returning to university to study law. After university, I envisaged that I would work in corporate law and that area still interests me, particularly given the work that I now do often acting on behalf of clients with their own businesses and interests in companies. Throughout my wonderful training contract however, I gravitated towards family law.

Looking back I believe this was due in part to my own experience as the child of divorced parents. I saw first-hand the difficulties faced by my parents, and myself and my sister, as children, going through the process. Clients’ problems resonated with me and I found I was genuinely able to assist them in times of great turmoil. I was able to utilise my years of training in applying the law and at the same time use my honed communication and empathy skills, along with what some may call my tenacity in dealing with particularly problematic situations. I found this greatly enjoyable. In retrospect, given my life experiences, forging a career in family law was perhaps an inevitability.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

I have been fortunate enough to be able to help so many deserving clients over the years, which is why I come into work each day, but my greatest personal accomplishment is returning as a Partner to Hay & Kilner, after completing my training contract at the firm. I relish in leading a team of brilliant lawyers and I am so excited for the continued growth of both my team and the wider firm.

WHO WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?

I appreciate this is cliched but my mother is my biggest inspiration. She has endured more than most in her life but, through hard work, determination and courage, she led a successful career and was always there for me and my sister. Everything she does is done with love and passion and she exudes eternal kindness. I would not be in the position I am today without her sacrifices and commitment to me and I aspire to be more like her every day.

WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?

I bought my wife Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry as a Christmas present. She raced through it in two days and passed it on. It is a thought provoking read which encourages the reader to “illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us” and to “work through fear, find strength in community and live in boldness”. I would encourage all to read it.

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

Just be yourself; you are enough! Be open-minded, keep growing, keep reading and keep trying to understand who you are and doors will open that you never knew existed.

HOW HAS THE LEGAL SECTOR CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?

In family law, the biggest change is in respect of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 bringing about so called “no fault divorce”. This, coupled with the reduction in Legal Aid and the services available to parties going through separation and divorce, has meant a large increase in litigants in person and DIY divorce jobs. There are very real reasons why expert advice is needed in a lot of these cases and I am concerned as to the repercussions of not taking, or having access to, advice.

More generally, the way in which traditional law firms operate is changing. It is important that law firms move with the times, be it in respect of structure, non-fee earning functions and technology.

OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?

My family. Despite a busy and forever growing workload, I try to spend as much time with my children as possible – whether that is walking to school, attending sporting events or being a monster ridden around the living room. When I am not with the children, I love watching a good film with my wife which takes me away from the thousands of thoughts I have running through my head!

AND FINALLY, YOUR GO-TO PODCAST?

Grounded with Louis Theroux. I find his style of questioning and his ability to get people to open up about deep and personal matters, be they public figures or not, brilliant. This often makes for thought provoking, inspiring and comical listening.

Hay & Kilner LLP  is a full, service law firm with a long-established reputation and with offices in Newcastle & Wallsend. Founded in 1946, Hay & Kilner offers a variety of legal services to both individuals and businesses including Residential and Commercial Property, Family, and Inheritance Disputes, as well as niche areas including Agriculture and Veterinary Practices.