Name: Lee Ranson
Firm: Eversheds Sutherland
Position: Co-CEO
In Hot 100 for: Successfully leading Eversheds into an international merger. Read his full Hot 100 profile.
What’s your most vivid memory from being a trainee?
I have good memories of my time as a trainee. I soon understood that there was a significant difference between what I’d been taught at law school and what clients actually wanted to know. The firm and the principals I worked with drilled into us that we were there to learn and not be afraid to put our hands up and ask. The more confident the firm got in your abilities, the more responsibility you took on.
Who has been the most influential person in your career? Why, and how have they helped you?
There have been lots of people who have influenced my views and approach, not all of them have been in the firms or organisations in which I have worked. This ranges from my A-level economics teacher to trustees of charity boards on which I have sat. Within Eversheds Sutherland, I would probably choose our former Chief Executive David Gray. He had a great habit of always pushing you to think about “what next” and never letting you rest on your laurels.
What was the best career decision you ever made, and why?
I think choosing Eversheds Sutherland as the firm I wanted to join on qualification. I have spent all my career here. It has allowed me many different opportunities across different areas of law and geographies. It’s an organisation that has come a huge distance since I joined in 1990 and the journey has been great fun.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?
Be open to new opportunities. We live in a fast paced world with changing client needs and wants. If people want to have the most fulfilling careers then I think you have to embrace that rather than fighting it. Never be afraid of asking for help and always try and give people help if they ask you for it.
What work or career-related project or activity would you really like to do, but don’t have time for?
I have a love of history and art and [one day!] want to restart my academic study in one of both of these areas. Not for now, but definitely for the future.
