Stuart Pemble

Stuart is a partner in our construction team, based in our Birmingham office. He discusses how Mills & Reeve has evolved since joining in 1999 and his role as partner sponsor of our REACH network.

Can you tell us about how Mills & Reeve has changed since you joined?

Mills & Reeve has grown a lot since I joined in 1999, yet it still feels like the same organisation at heart. Back then, our annual turnover was less than our monthly turnover now, so we’re definitely a lot bigger. But the culture of the firm hasn’t changed, even as we’ve grown, and I think that’s remarkable.

The scope and nature of our work have also transformed – we act on bigger projects and engage in things like government work which we just didn’t do when I started. All seven of our offices have become fantastic spaces as well, reflecting the firm’s commitment to investing in welcoming, collaborative spaces and in the experience of its people. And our technology has come a long way and transformed the way we do things - when I started, we relied on post and fax machines and submitted paper timesheets daily. Now, we’re using technology (including the challenge of AI) that helps us to innovate and deliver even better service to our clients.

What’s your favourite thing about your job here?

The people, closely followed by the work.

I love my job and don’t think I could do anything else. Practising law is a lot more fun than studying it. There's something incredibly rewarding about helping real clients with real issues - it’s much more invigorating than the theoretical scenarios most law students have to advise on.

In terms of people, I’ve been especially lucky - I met my wife here, and many of my closest friends are colleagues. In fact, our best man was one of the retired partners. I’ve also built really strong relationships with clients and former clients, some of whom have become friends. I think that really speaks to the kind of place Mills & Reeve is.

Can you tell us about your role as partner sponsor of the Reach network?

Reach is one of our 5 staff networks – it’s our race, ethnicity and cultural heritage network and supports Black, Asian and racially minoritised staff. I was delighted to be asked by the network co-chairs to take on the role, and am hopeful having a partner of long-standing will allow the network to have an even stronger presence at the firm.

I’ve always been very passionate about improving diversity in all its forms in the legal profession. I believe a firm thrives and is successful by hiring the best people, and that’s not achieved by selecting from a narrow talent pool and hiring people who all look and sound the same. If you’re not attracting the best people from all walks of life with different backgrounds, perspectives and experience, you’re hampering your ability to be the best firm you can be.

Cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is also the right thing to do. I believe equality is about opportunity, not outcome, and levelling out the opportunity playing field as much as possible is an ongoing and important responsibility. M&R is a values-driven firm, and there’s no point having values if you don’t live by them, so engaging in allyship, and encouraging others to do the same, is really important. It’s also vital to recognise that improving diversity requires collective action – it’s not a fight that should be fought solely by those from minority backgrounds.

What do you get up to when you’re not being a construction lawyer?

I’m married with two children (quite a lot of time is spent as a parental taxi service), and a very affectionate 4-year-old dog who likes to run the house with an iron paw. We enjoy eating out and I fancy myself as the BBQ King of South Birmingham. I also enjoy a glass or two of nice wine. Although my wife and I both have busy jobs, between us we’ve been to all of the plays, concerts and sporting events which the kids have been involved in. Our son plays hockey for a local club and I try to watch as many of his games as possible (although I still don’t understand the rules).

Cricket is my big sporting passion. I’m a member at Edgbaston and Harborne Cricket Club and am also a qualified umpire, including umpiring the organised chaos that is the annual Mills & Reeve partners v staff cricket game. I have season tickets at Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby (which brings as much pain as it does joy), and love visiting Scotland to see family and friends alongside cheering the blokes in blue.

What would be your advice to any aspiring solicitors?

If you don’t currently have a training contract, but would like one, the best advice I can give to is submit as many job applications as possible. This is as true now as it was when I was starting out. The more applications you make, the greater chances you have of getting there. I know it can feel like a thankless task, but don’t give up.

Also, don’t try to be someone other than you. Whatever you like to do, as long as you’re passionate about it and interested in it, matters.

Once you become a solicitor, I would say just remember to have fun. Work hard but enjoy it. And, if you’re having time off, make sure you properly switch off – the firm, your work and your clients will all still be there when you come back.

Existing clients