Name: John Hassells.
Born: 1973, Shropshire.
Title: Employment Associate.
Company: KBL Solicitors.
Where did you start?
I studied Law at Lancaster University.
What got you interested?
Employment Law is fast paced and constantly evolving. It allows me to advise and assist clients from start to finish, preparing and then presenting cases in the Employment Tribunal.
What is the secret of your success?
I've picked an area of the law I am genuinely interested in and I work hard.
Best decision you've ever made?
Allowing a girl to move into the student house I shared with three other lads. She's now my wife.
And the worst?
Eating a dodgy meal in a restaurant in Mexico City. Ended up in a downtown state hospital at 3am, with amoebic dysentery.
Who has been your biggest influence?
Judge Judy, Judge John Deed and if I was pushed, Rumpole of the Bailey . . . only joking!
What is your biggest concern about your industry?
If I could change anything, it would be the way new employment laws are introduced. I would advocate greater use of pilot schemes to iron out problems and assess the effectiveness of proposed changes, before they are rolled out on a national basis.
Favourite music?
Anything by the Stone Roses Favourite book?
I really enjoy books by Tony Hawks, including Playing Moldovans at Tennis and Round Ireland With a Fridge.
Favourite film?
I love the Ealing Comedies, Brassed-Off and, more recently, Shaun of the Dead.
Favourite spare time activity?
Playing Football in a local league. I also love travelling. Over the past few years, I have been on backpacking holidays to Morocco, Mexico, USA, India and Thailand.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get where you are?
Work hard and get as much experience as you can with summer placements and volunteering at organisations like Law Centres or the Citizens Advice Bureaux.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article