OLIVER GRAY - OVER TO YOU…
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I am commercial solicitor working in ABD’s Marlborough office. I have a particular interest in business law and always love a challenge.
WHAT AREA OF LAW DO YOU WORK IN?
I work primarily in commercial law, which incorporates both commercial property and corporate commercial matters (business law). I do also however undertake additional work in high value and complex residential property matters and certain areas of Data Protection Law.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO THE LAW?
Even before I began my A-Level in Law, I knew that it was the career I wanted to pursue.
After leaving school I completed my Law Degree at the University of Plymouth. I then completed my Post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Bristol Law School (University of West England). This was shortly before I came to work at Awdry Bailey & Douglas.
During my time at ABD I initially began training with both the commercial and litigation departments and, after undertaking litigation work for approximately 7 months, moved from ABD’s Devizes office to Marlborough to focus solely on commercial work. Alongside my work at ABD, I have also completed a Masters Degree in Advanced Legal Practice, focussing on complex and protracted contract disputes and contract formation.
WHAT ARE 5 WORDS A CLIENT WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE YOU?
Practical – There will always be a need to look beyond the purely legal aspects of a matter in order to find practical solutions.
Realistic – I have found it very important to manage my clients’ expectations and, particularly when negotiating, this is important to ensure that a reasonable and realistic approach is taken.
Modern – the law is ever changing and it is important not only to stay up to date with this, but in a more practical sense, to take advantage of technological advances such as electronic submissions and registrations to ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Diligent – given the significance in law of matters as seemingly insignificant as the type of punctuation used, I take a meticulous approach to my work.
Positive – involving solicitors can be fairly daunting, even for regular clients. I always try to keep a positive outlook and to inspire the same in my clients.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?
My career highlights to date have certainly been my involvement in a number of very high value cases, both for company purchases and sales and in respect of development work on a number of sites in the UK. I found it immensely rewarding to be entrusted with such significant work and to have been able to undertake this alongside a team of hardworking and competent colleagues.
WHAT/WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Though a fictional character, I have always been inspired by Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. I can recall reading an article in the Law Society Gazette whilst at university which extolled the virtues epitomised by Atticus Finch revolving largely around his patience, practicality, honesty and integrity.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Outside of work, I am a regular gym goer, hiker and have a particular interest in martial arts. I trained in Mixed Martial Arts for several years whilst at school, earned my black belt in Tae Kwon Do at 16 and continue to practice occasionally alongside my more recent interest in Aikido.
I am an amateur coleopterist (i.e. I collect and study beetles) with a particular interest in African flower beetles. I have been doing this for at least the past 5 or 6 years and have a formidable collection of Asian and African beetles. I have not however collected any specimens for over a year as I now prefer to photograph beetles instead.
I am also an avid reader and enjoy reading both fiction (generally fantasy) and non fiction (specifically Naval History) books.
