The Big Interview: Caroline Neadley
Our Vision: Hull Is This met up with Caroline Neadley to discuss how Rollits is using video meetings to facilitate hybrid working
We met up with Caroline via Zoom whilst she was working from home and were delighted when her cockapoo, Buzz, decided to join us. This set the scene for an interesting discussion about how Rollits has embraced modern ways of working during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to use video meetings to full effect.
Before joining Rollits, Caroline had spent ten years at another local law firm straight out of law school. Whilst there she was made a Partner and eventually decided that she wanted to explore a career change.
"I then worked at Humberside and South Yorkshire Police in their legal team, specialising in employment law," says Caroline. "The in-house legal role was interesting, challenging and rewarding in equal measure and after five years working in the public sector I felt I had to consider whether I wanted my career trajectory to remain in the public sector or if I wanted to go back to working for a private law practice. It was a difficult decision to make and I didn't want to leave it too long. Whilst pondering this decision, an opportunity to join Rollits came along."
Caroline already knew that Rollits had an excellent reputation in Hull, York and beyond, so she got in touch to discuss a position there:
"I was attracted by the fact that Rollits is a local law firm with strong roots, yet it has clients all around the UK and internationally. This was in 2017 and Hull was under the national spotlight as the UK City of Culture. Rollits was a key partner to the City of Culture team and doing so much to promote local arts projects and strengthen the local community, so a big decision instantly became a very easy one to make."
Four years on, Caroline acts for a wide range of clients at Rollits, which is another factor that attracted her to the law firm:
"It's a very diverse client base, which includes advising clients in the education and charity sectors. Rollits genuinely cares about worthy causes and supporting the local community, which made moving here a natural transition from my role at Humberside and South Yorkshire Police."
Caroline is also a governor for Swanland Primary School as part of the Edukos Trust, which perfectly complements her role as a Partner at a law firm that's passionate about education. Additionally, for over ten years she has been a committee member for Women in Business, which Rollits supports by hosting events and offering expert advice when required.
"On top of this, not very many law firms can say they've been established for almost two centuries whilst continuing to grow, flourish and adapt. Our Vision is an invitation for us to look back and celebrate our growth and the role we've played in the community, as well as explore how we can further develop our services to suit modern needs and methods of working.
"We continue to be a progressive law firm. We've been established for 180 years but our eye's on the future and we remain at the forefront of the industry. We're focused on making the most of new technologies and regularly catch up with clients through Teams and Zoom, which greatly facilitates hybrid working.
"My relationship with clients has flourished because video meetings are so versatile.* Giving people the option to talk to us using visual platforms online is a great way to develop professional relationships in a way that many wouldn't have envisaged a couple of years ago, it's not uncommon for us to join client team meetings and this only enhances the support we can offer. It's an exciting time and I look forward to being part of driving new trends and ways of working, as they will inevitably change in the future."
*Please note that Buzz the cockapoo may not always be available during video meetings with Caroline.
This article is for general guidance only. It provides useful information in a concise form. Action should not be taken without obtaining specific legal advice.