Q&A with Ed Crosse, commercial disputes partner at Simmons & Simmons

You're talking to a friend of a friend at a party. How do you describe what you do?

I find the job challenging and exciting, but at times it can feel like scuba diving on a reserve tank... I know I should slow down or at least come up for air more often, but I don’t because I love what I do, so I just swim faster!

What motivated you to become a Council member for the City?

Brexit - there's a lot that we, as solicitors, need to do, both to meet the challenges of Brexit but also to seize the opportunities that it presents. The Law Society's role on this has been and will continue to be key and I want to be part of that.

To date, what has been the highlight of your time on Council?

Meeting and working with the fabulous team at the Law Society and seeing just how much they do for our members, both at home and abroad. It’s been a real eye-opener!

You were a member of the Disclosure Working Group - what does the new Pilot Scheme mean for our courts in England & Wales?

Clients and the profession are concerned about the increasing burden and cost of giving disclosure under the previous rules (CPR Part 31); some even said they were starting to look at alternative courts and tribunals to resolve their disputes.

The pilot presents an innovate and radically different way of approaching disclosure in commercial cases, addressing head-on the problems that the working group identified. If this opportunity is embraced by the profession and judiciary, it could be a key differentiator for our courts in England & Wales.

Share some great advice you've been given.

At my admission ceremony, the then president of the Law Society told us that whatever we do in our careers, we must never compromise our professional duties as solicitors, no matter how hard we may be pressed by others to do so; I‘ve never forgotten that. The hallmark and significance of the 'solicitor brand' in the minds of clients depends on this.

How do you relax?

Cycling, when I can - it's brilliant for 'headspace', but for me the best way of relaxing is watching Peppa Pig with my two year old on my lap!

What book is on your bedside table?

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay...very few books make me laugh out loud, but this one does.

Do you have a role model or is there someone you admire and why?

The person I admire most professionally, and has had the most influence on my career, is my former boss at Clifford Chance, Simon Davis.

Despite being a formidable litigator, and now ambassador for the solicitor's profession, there isn’t a hint of arrogance with Simon - the opposite in fact. The Law Society is very lucky to have Simon as its next president.

Favourite city?

San Francisco.

Best thing about being a partner at Simmons & Simmons?

I love working at Simmons, and I could give many reasons for that, but the strongest draw is the collegiality and inclusiveness of its people.