Hot 100: Iain Miller, Bevan Brittan

Iain Miller (scroll down for video interview), head of commercial litigation at Bevan Brittan, has been at the forefront of many of these developments and was involved in some of The Lawyer’s biggest stories in 2012.

At the top of the list, Miller acted for long-standing client the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on the administration of Halliwells and Dewey & LeBoeuf UK, among the most complex and high-profile cases in the legal sector in recent years. In both cases, he assisted the regulator in ensuring the winding-down arrangements were made in the best interests of clients and the end result was orderly and constructive for all those involved.

New issues steming from the arrival of Alternative Business Structures (ABS) also formed a large part of his work for the SRA in 2012. His authority in this area is underlined by the fact he is co-editor of Butterworths Guide to the Legal Services Act 2007 and co-author of Alternative Business Structures.

In the public law sphere, Miller was instructed by the SRA when it was joined as a party to the highly publicised Nicklinson/AM right to die case before the High Court in the summer.

He continues to assist the Bar Standards Board on reworking its regulatory scheme, dealing with issues such as the cab rank rule, referral fees and barristers becoming ABSs.

It is true that good legal advice is critical to clients’ success, but Miller’s work has bigger implications as the final outcome will determine the long-term wellbeing of the nation’s legal profession.