NEW LAW SOCIETY PRESIDENT CHECKS IN

The lawyers of Sheffield have a new chief after Taylor&Emmet LLP partner, Paul Clarke, was appointed president of the Sheffield and District Law Society.

Last year’s president, Frances Woodhead, head of legal at Sheffield City Council, handed over the position to Paul at the society’s recent annual general meeting.

Paul, who left DLA Piper to join Taylor&Emmet’s expanding commercial litigation department, will be working alongside the Law Society’s new executive team, Chris Fry from Wake Smith and Julia Watkinson from Wrigleys. The historic society, founded in 1875, represents the interests of the city’s legal profession.

Paul said: “The Sheffield and District Law Society has undergone radical changes in the last year to ensure it is better equipped to cope with the economic downturn. Frances has overseen an unprecedented rise in our profile among the local business community and I am fortunate to follow such a successful president.

“My challenge this year will be to build on Frances’ good work and to reach out to lawyers who may, in the past, have felt under-represented, such as those working in industry or the public sector. Our aim is to put Sheffield’s legal community at the heart of the city’s economy and we have the people to achieve that. I am confident that our collective resilience and entrepreneurial spirit will allow us to emerge from this difficult period stronger than before.”

Paul joined Taylor&Emmet in April, in a move that emphasised the quality and strength of Sheffield’s legal community. He is a specialist in commercial contract disputes, acting mainly for local manufacturing businesses and clients in the retail sector and is a long-standing supporter of the Law Society.

PICTURE CAPTION: New Sheffield and District Law Society president, Paul Clarke of Taylor&Emmet LLP, is welcomed to the post by his predecessor, Frances Woodhead, from Sheffield City Council.

Issued: 4.6.2009

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