With more than 20 years legal experience Dianne heads up the Serious and Catastrophic Injury team at Birchall Blackburn Law. Based at the Manchester Office, but representing clients across the UK, she has a formidable reputation in the legal world. We caught up with her………..at 7am!
Q: It’s 7am! Is this normal?
Normal? I’m an early starter – so yes, in the office by 6.30am and strong coffee by 7am is my norm! Seriously though, this isn’t a 9-5 job. Yes, long hours….but I don’t see it like that because people and their families are depending on you at all times and I just love what I do – it’s my life.
Q: How did you end up deciding to work for a law firm?
Do you remember that iconic photograph? It was from the Vietnam War – a little girl, naked and crying, running on a road after a napalm bomb attack.
She was badly burned.
I remember it really clearly. I was only a little girl myself and I said to my Dad “Why are people doing this to other people?” He couldn’t understand either and told me that really we are all the same and that “everybody bleeds red“. Ever since then I’ve had an overwhelming urge to stand up for other people and just to help.
The girl is actually called Kim Phuc, and lives in Canada now with her husband and two grown sons. She has inspirational strength, spirit and forgiveness and has an international foundation for “healing children of war”.
(www.kimfoundation.com) Please insert link. http://www.kimfoundation.com/
Q: And why Birchall Blackburn Law?
That’s easy. I came to Birchall Blackburn Law because I like the firms approach, its friendliness and that they see people as people and not just another case. That approach is endemic throughout the whole firm. It’s not lip service – it is real. It really is all about the clients – the people we help are basically the firm. Does that make sense?
Q: It must be a hard and emotional area of law to work in day in and day out. How do you cope?
I help people to be the best they can be wherever possible. If ever it does feel overwhelming, I simply remind myself that I don’t let people down either as a lawyer or a friend. It makes you want to fight even harder if that is possible!
Q: Any sports or hobbies?
I used to be a big runner – long distance. I’ve run three marathons with a best time of 3 hours 30 mins. I’m pretty proud of that. I’m also into boxing. I like the movement and strategy. It’s totally absorbing and a great stress reliever. I used to train at Salford Lads club and was undefeated in the ring – but now I’m retired from that and just train. I still have a mean left hook though, so watch out!
Q: So I guess your favourite film is Rocky?
Nooo! Close Encounters of the Third Kind – all about finding a whole new world, self belief and not being afraid of differences.
Q: What’s your favourite food?
Curry – anything spicy. The hotter the better.
Q: What music do you listen to?
Dance music and techno house!
Q: Favourite book?
I think Lord of The Rings – it’s a great story of never giving up no matter what the odds are.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
Amy Johnson – she was a pioneering English aviator and was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Also Rosa Parks, the African-American Civil Rights activist who was known as “the fist lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement.”
Q: Any big ambitions?
To drive a Formula One car around Silverstone!
Q: What do you want to be remembered for?
Do you know, if I manage to just change one life for the better then I’ll be happy.
You can contact Dianne at Birchall Blackburn Law on 0800 988 1548 or dmyates@birchallblackburn.co.uk
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