In the Chair this week features Paul Lowe, Operations Director of Darbys Solicitors LLP, a 21 partner firm in Oxford (Thame and Manchester). Paul has been with Darbys for 30 plus years and is also the Chairman of the highly prestigious Oxfordshire Business Awards. Paul has been Chair of the LawNet Practice Management group for 8 years.
He loves all sport, particularly football and cricket. He has been a supporter of Oxford United for the last 40 years and is also a former director of Oxford United.
How would others describe you in three words?
Practical, willing and fair.
What has been your best professional moment to date?
Appearing at the European Court of Human Rights - twice. The first time was in the usual Chamber before 7 Judges and the second in the Grand Chamber before 17 Judges.
What has been your worst/most embarrassing professional moment to date?
Losing in the House of Lords 5-0 and the Grand Chamber of the European Court 10-7. On both occasions I was more upset /devastated than the client.
Tell us about one surprising thing you’ve learned since becoming Director of Operations?
The variety of the job. No one day is the same.
If you hadn't chosen Law, what do you think you'd be doing with your life?
I would have loved to have been a professional footballer but was never good enough. I love sport particularly football and cricket, so some sort of sports commentator would have been great.
If we looked in your desk’s top drawer, what would we find?
Too many things to mention. I am a hoarder and my top drawer is symptomatic of this bad habit.