August’s team of the month is a combination of our Financial Litigation team and our Employment Law team.
They are all located in the middle offices of our second building. The teams are managed by Danielle Lightfoot (one of our Directors & Head of Financial Litigation) and Ian Abel (Head of Employment Law) and are made up of 8 additional staff members, including Daniel Masterson-Doig, Junaid Sohail, Catherine Hall, Jade Taylor-Vickers, Stephanie Eatwell, Claire Sutton, and Mia Hollindrake (Financial Litigation) along with previous team of the month entry and new recruit Daryl Smith (Employment).
1) How do you start your working day?
The team seem to all start their days off differently, but one thing they all share is preparation. The second team of the month all had organisation in common, whether that be food, their schedules, or even coffee breaks. Danielle stated that she started her day by making a list of all the things she must do that day. The list starts with the things that were on the previous days list that she didn’t get around to.
Whilst on the flip side of the coin, Ian spends his morning fighting with the computer system to work. We send our thoughts and prayers to your daily struggle!
Catherine said hers started with putting the kettle on – I’m guessing she is the one on brew duty first thing! Whilst Jade is listening to music in the car to get her pumped (so if you see a paralegal belting out a classic, you know Jade is on her way!)
2) What’s your biggest work pet peeve?
Once again, this team also brought up and unanimously decided that the dirty kitchen was the greatest pet peeve, with everyone chiming in with their own tale of dirty dishes, messy people, or queues to wash their cups!
Again, I feel the perpetrators were hinted at, but it would be terribly rude for this interviewer to pass judgement! Someone suggested bringing pets to work was their peeve… I believe that they have been moved to a different office since voicing this opinion…
3) Which member of the team would you call in an emergency?
All said that in an emergency that they would call Danielle as she has a great head on her shoulders and is the problem solver of the group. Danielle suggested that she would call Steph in an emergency as equally she is cool and collected – I think their office must be always on standby to deal with everyone’s emergencies!
4) Which member of the team has the messiest desk?
There was great divide on this one, as even though they are the most organised team in terms of work, their desks are a far cry from OCD. Ian said that his desk was easily the messiest ‘hands down’ over everyone else’s.
Others voted for Claire (But she is the keeper of snacks in her draws, so I would say that’s more of a win than loss!) Danielle said it is “Definitely me. In my defence I would argue that it’s because I’m the busiest”. I don’t think anyone can disagree with that!
5) Which member of the team comes in the smartest dressed?
This month again had a unanimous winner of Junaid, and I cannot agree more! With the smartest suits and matching tie and pocket square, Junaid definitely – he always goes above and beyond with his clothes. They are also always very neat and pressed; he takes great pride in his appearance!
Ian suggested it was his new recruit Daryl, who has moved over from CICA, but he already had a special mention for waistcoat club in last month’s team of the month, so he cannot win this twice!
But to all the ladies in the team, you all dress incredibly, don’t let the boys take all the credit! Claire has the boldest prints, Jade has the best tailored trousers, Catherine has the nicest blazers, Danielle has gorgeous shoes, Mia wears lovely dresses, and Steph has gorgeous skirts – all of which I am super jealous of, so ladies you are the best dressed too!
6) Which member of the team is the joker?
Ian claimed that the team joker was Danielle as ‘some of her fancy dress costumes on dress down day are amazing’ – please see the many photos attached for the amount of costumes Danielle has come in for dress down. Only kidding, Danielle! I know she would kill me if I did attach them!
7) Which member of the team will avoid meetings at any costs?
Danielle and Dan were put forward on this occasion, as Dan has a tendency to leave midway through meetings! Whilst Danielle tries to get out of attending altogether!
But I must call them all out, as they did miss the meeting for the interview with ‘conflicting schedules’. A likely story, team… I’ll make sure the next time to schedule far enough in advance that no excuses can be made!
8) Which member of the team has the most snacks?
The team member with the most snacks was voted as either, Jade, Mia, Claire or Junaid – but as they all sit in the same office, I am sure that there are enough snacks to go around! It is also the room in which their team of the month treat snacks were left…
Although as mentioned previously Claire does have the snack drawer and therefore on this occasion must be crowned the Queen of Snacks!
9) Which member of the team moans the most?
The team all voted for themselves as the person who moans the most. I suppose with the messiest kitchens and coldest office rooms they are all entitled to do so! Clean your kitchen guys and then you’ll have fewer things to moan about!
10) Which member of the team is the most accident prone?
The most votes on this were cast for poor Catherine. What strikes me as more worrying is that she will be doing the Great North Run in September, and as so many voted her the most accident prone, it’s best she run in cotton wool or we all chip in and buy her some knee pads and a helmet!
If you do want to sponsor Catherine for her run, there will be a link available for you to do so! We all know she will do incredibly, even if she’s a bit bruised at the end!
11) Which member of the team brings in the best lunch?
Junaid and Claire were both suggested as having the best lunches. As I have myself sampled Claire’s lunch (she did make it for me for about a year) I can equally confirm that she has the best lunch.
Junaid I do take bribes in the form of food, so if you want a good lunch rating from me, you know where my post tray is.
12) Who are your personal heroes?
Jade: “My mum, Lil Nas X & Tupac.”
Ian said that his personal hero was Iron Mike Tyson, as to this day no one has excited the world of boxing like Tyson did. “I can remember the world standing still when he fought when I was a kid.” He said his other hero was Luis Suarez – “Best player I ever saw pull on a Liverpool shirt.”
13) Do you have any hidden talents?
Most claimed to have no hidden talents, “Absolutely none – what you see is what you get!”, but I don’t believe that for a second I have seen the majority of them have a boogie at the Christmas party, and they have all got the moves (videos will be released at a later date…)
There was one shining star, Catherine, who let me know that she is a bit of a dab hand at accents, I will be testing these out later and will give some follow up feedback after her performance. I am sure that I told her this was her application to this year’s Oakwood talent show…
14) Who would play you in a film of your life?
Danielle said that hers would be Reece Witherspoon as she sees herself as a bit of an Elle Wood’s (without the rich daddy!) – she is living her Legally Blonde life especially now with her new puppy. Will we be seeing him in your handbag like Bruiser?
Jade said that hers would be Sophie Turner, so she either loves Game of Thrones or fancies marrying a Jonas Brother… either is a pretty good option!
Ian said his was Gerald Butler “Pretty much the same as me anyway isn’t he – Scottish roots, lawyer and all-round action hunk?!” Whatever helps you sleep at night Ian. We won’t judge.
15) What’s the most exciting part of your job?
Danielle said that the most exciting aspect of her job is “Watching the firm grow and seeing new starters join the firm and grow into fierce paralegals and solicitors.” As a home-grown director herself, Danielle is the most perfect example of a new starter rising in the ranks and achieving great success. She is an exceptionally hard worker and has gone above and beyond to achieve her dreams.
Some members were more sarcastic and said their favourite part was filling in my questionnaires and quizzes. I’ll make sure next time they are twice as long…
16) Do you have a claim to fame? If so, what?
We once again have another team who have mingled with stardom or have been shining stars themselves!
Catherine said that “ITV Tyne Tees news once interviewed me after a race”. Hopefully she will bring that footage in for us at some point, amd Jade has met TV hosts Ant & Dec (which I am incredibly jealous over especially with I’m a Celeb… not that far away!)
I need to go out with some teams more to be able to mingle with the rich and famous as they do!
17) What’s your idea of a perfect day?
This month again had a consensus that the best day would be spent away from the office. Breakfast on a balcony in the sun, or relaxing on a yacht with a cocktail in the sunshine or going out for dinner at a nice restaurant. Being by the sea, relaxing and sipping a cocktail or mocktail. That doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me!
18) What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?
Danielle – “I would hope – Loyal, hard-working and dedicated.”
Ian – “Loud” – I am guessing that is times three. I know that Danielle, Steph and Dan do have a system in place to let Ian know when he is being too loud, so I cannot disagree with his answer.
19) What is your signature dance move at company parties?
Jade said hers was the ‘Doogie’ I hope that she is willing to give lessons ahead of any parties so that we are all clued in…
Ian said he never dances, but I cannot believe that for a second, I am pretty sure we have a fair amount of footage to suggest otherwise from Christmas parties gone by. Shall I make a compilation as a reminder?
I am sure I also remember Claire and Steph both busting moves on the dancefloor before (especially when the macarena comes on…). I can’t wait to see them all again at the next party!
20) What would you say to anyone wanting to apply to Oakwood Solicitors?
We have a lot of new starters in our team this month, some who have moved up the ranks and been with the company a fair number of years and have recently moved into the team. Whilst others are brand new and have only been with us since the beginning of the year.
Unanimously, they all have said that “It might be the best decision you ever make!”
“If you are looking to begin your career in law the idea of working in a law firm for the first time can be very daunting, however, Oakwood Solicitors is a very welcoming and friendly place to work. I felt like I fit in by the end of my first day.”
“Great team and fantastic place to develop your career.”
Thank you!
Thank you to our second team of the month! I hope you enjoyed your treats and have worn the crown well this month. They will shortly be passing the baton over to the next team, so stay tuned for our next team of the month!
