Partner Graeme Fraser has been interviewed in The Law Society Gazette, as part of its My Legal Life feature.

“I was surrounded by lawyers from a young age. My father was senior partner of a London law firm and chair of the Law Society’s legal aid committee. Many of my family members have been solicitors, barristers and judges. Growing up, I was often told that I had a flair for arguing and that I should pursue a career in law.

I was fortunate to have trained at a general practice, where I was able to gain a wide experience and meet contacts early on in my career. Such experience is a good grounding for working in family law where our clients own companies, land, etc.

I have been practising law since 1996 and the most unsettling challenge has been the removal of most legal aid, particularly in family law.

The use of IT in law, and working in an environment that actively encourages people to avoid using lawyers, has also been a challenge. Given the vast volume of information on the internet – not always correct – a lot of the public feel they do not need to consult a lawyer. I believe it is imperative that lawyers are still seen as go-to trusted advisers. It is the soft skills and hard law knowledge we offer over a simple internet search that clients benefit from.”

This interview was originally published in The Law Society Gazette and can be accessed here.