In this edition of our beyond the role series, we will be spotlighting Fiona Campbell-White, a new and exciting arrival to our Charities and Private Wealth team at Foot Anstey.
Fiona joins us after over 16 years at Wilsons and over 2 years with Henmans prior to that, where she built an industry-leading reputation in contentious trust and probate litigation. She is particularly well known for her expertise in legacy disputes in the charity sector. Her experience will be instrumental in strengthening and growing our contentious trust and probate practice and we are very pleased to welcome her to our team.
Time to get to know Fiona beyond the role…
Off the job
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby that might surprise people?
As those who know me will appreciate, I do not tend to hide anything! However, people may not know that I still horse ride (badly); did dog agility (until my dog got too old for the exertion); speak French fluently; and I am the Chair of Governors of the local secondary school. I could go on…
What was your Plan B if you didn't go into law?
There was never a Plan B, but back in the day (we are going back a few decades here!) I thought I was going to be a lawyer working in the European Union due to my French legal qualification.
On the job
What made you want to work in the charities sector?
I was a commercial litigation lawyer for almost a decade. Towards the end of that time, I started advising large charities on general litigation issues and that led to advising on disputes affecting charities specifically (for example in the realm of governance and, as some of you may remember, on the issues some charities were having (quite some years ago now) with fox hunting supporters trying to join as members).
Could you share a career highlight or most memorable case with us?
There are far too many to single out one or even two. I remember people telling Val Tabor of Barnardo's that she ought to write a book as she had so many stories to tell from her career in legacies. Any of us in the sector for long enough will have a multitude of memorable cases and highlights. It is fabulously interesting work.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Without a doubt, what I enjoy the most is resolving disputes. However, I can't deny that recovering money from dodgy executors gives me immense satisfaction.
What's the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?
Put yourself in the position of your client when drafting a letter or email of advice. In other words, don't just set out the law and leave the client to put that into context. Draft a letter that will be helpful to the client.
What do you think will have the biggest impact on the charities sector in the next year?
The economy. Families may challenge Wills (or help themselves to money not due to them) due to their tightened financial circumstances.
Have you ever had to unlearn something in your career, what was it?
When I first qualified, the approach to litigation was completely different. You objected to everything the other side said or did (even if it was reasonable). For example, if they wanted longer to provide evidence you objected, even if they had a good reason for the request. We'd then all go down to the Court and argue about even the most minor application. It was a great advocacy experience for trainees and junior solicitors. That all changed with what was known as the Woolf Reforms in 1999. It took those of us who trained and practised under the previous regime a little while to adapt to the new co-operative regime.
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