2
UK
www.abplgroup.com - 24th November 2013
Keith Vaz MP
Keith Vaz MP 6. And the worst ? Working through the night on various occasions. Once when acting for a US company acquiring trading desks - I returned to the office at midnight to start negotiation for a Chinese based corporate in a high profile acquisition of a UK based car manufacturing company.
Reena Popat Associate Solicitor Reena graduated from Birmingham with a degree in Law and trained in Leicester before moving to London. Having worked in a West End law firm for over 3 years, Reena joined Darlingtons Solicitors and is now an integral part of the Company Commercial team. Fluent in Gujarati and Hindi, and well-versed in Punjabi, Reena has a successful track record in providing advice and commercial drafting solutions to organisations and entrepreneurs within the Asian community. Reena has extensive contacts with lawyers in India to facilitate a multi-national jurisdictional approach. Born in to a Ugandan Asian family, Reena is the eldest child of four children. In her spare time, Reena enjoys being involved in a number of organisations including the Association of Women Lawyers. 1. Please tell us about your current position.
2. What are your proudest achievements ?
I am currently working at Darlingtons Solicitors as a Company Commercial Lawyer. Based in Edgware, North-West London, Darlingtons is absolutely not a local high street firm. The majority of the lawyers and staff have West End or City experiences and the firm has an excellent track record of bringing young lawyers through from trainees to partners. My work consists of advising small to medium sized businesses right the way through to the large multinational corporations in providing all aspects of legal advice in most business sectors. This includes buying and selling assets and shares, restructuring, commercial contracts and insolvency work.
As a Newly Qualified Solicitor in a West End law firm, I founded and established an ‘India Desk’. I built ‘bestfriend’ relationships with Indian Law firms and facilitated transactional cross border work. I was also nominated and shortlisted in the category of Commercial Solicitor of Year in the Society of Asian Lawyers annual awards. 3. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career to date ? Organisational culture, the outdated perceptions of women, resistance to contemporary management practices such as flexible hours and the perceptions of client expectations coupled with coming from an ethnic minority back-
7. What are your long term goals ? I believe it is very important to set goals which give you longterm vision and short-term motivation and to review these regularly. My career goal is to join my firm as a Partner and to double the size of my Corporate team. My personal goal is to try and achieve more of a work-life balance, to spend more time with my family and to travel.
ground meant that the legal sector is still very male dominant and creates glass ceilings for the advancement of top female talent. 4. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date ? I would have to say my family. Coming from a family of 10, I realised at a very young age that I was good at problem solving and the law seemed to provide the opportunity to use these skills and make a real difference I was also an avid fan of LA Law – not that my career has
ever been so glamorous! 5. What is the best thing about your current role ? I am fortunate that my chosen career path does not restrict me to sit at my desk all day. No-one day is ever the same. Once in a while you get the opportunity to help someone who needs your help. It feels good to be that person. Law is a thinking profession, not just a doing job. I get paid to read, write, think and argue – all the things I would do anyway!
8. If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change ? I would change the education system to focus more emphasis on morals, manners, creative skills, charitable work and the riches of humanity and nature. 9. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? To choose just one historical figure is difficult. It would be Gandhiji – to learn his way of negotiation and achievements. Often I refer to his famous quote ‘it is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err’.
The Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards 2013 It is that time of year again…The Asian Voice Public and Political Life Awards nominations. The awards celebrate the achievements of those who have made a special contribution to our political or public life over the last 12 months in a variety of fields. The Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards represent Asian Voice’s modest effort to honour a number of outstanding
individuals from different communities, walks of life and diverse political persuasions who serve society in their own special
way, and who contribute significantly, in whatever they do, towards making a better world today and for the future.
2012 Winners Cabinet Minister of the Year Shadow Cabinet Minister of the Year Liberal Democrat Minister of the Year Junior Minister of the Year Labour Backbencher of the Year Conservative Backbencher of the Year Parliamentary Journalist of the Year Diversity in the Public Services Award Journalist of the Year TV Personality of the Year Business Demonstrating Sustained Growth of the Year Young Entrepreneur of the Year Parliamentary Service Award Broadcaster of the Year Lifetime Achievement in Health Business Person of the Year Restaurant of the Year Asian Broadcaster of the Year School of the Year Business in the Community Local Government Award
Rt. Hon Andrew Mitchell MP Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP Paul Burstow MP David Gauke MP Stella Creasy MP Gavin Barwell MP Anushka Asthana John Hannett Riz Lateef Jameela Jamil Mr Deepak Nangla Rajesh Agrawal Staff of message service Nick Ferrari Dr K. Anji Reddy Bharat Shah Chak 89 ATN BANGLA HABS Lycamobile UK Ltd Councillor Jagdish Sharma
It is the sixth year the awards have been presented and as in previous years, the event will be attended by 250 high profile politicians from all political parties, successful people from the world
of business and community leaders. The awards for achievements in 2012 will be handed out at a prestigious ceremony in the Members Dining Room of the House of Commons on
7th February 2013. This year, as every year, we are seeking your nominations for the awards. Please send your nominations for Political and Public Life Awards to: ppla2013@hotmail.com
2011 Winners Parliamentarian of the Year Conservative Minister of the Year Junior Minister of the Year Special Award for Achievement in Film Conservative Backbencher of the Year Liberal Democrat Backbencher of the Year Labour Backbencher of the Year Journalist of the Year Business in the Community Award Lifetime Achievement Award Local Government Award Charity of the Year Businessperson of the Year Contribution to Sport in the UK Columnist of the Year TV Personality of the Year Restaurant of the Year Asian Broadcaster of the Year Face of the Future Award International Entrepreneur of the Year Community Award Professional of the Year Creative and Entertainment Co of the Year
Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Ed Davey MP Tariq Anwar (The Kings Speech) Nadhim Zahawi MP Julian Huppert MP Anas Sarwar MP Paul Lewis Kantesh Popat Nirmal Sethia Luftur Rahman & Dr Neeraj Patil (joint award) Path to Success – Anita Choudhrie Fukhera Khalid Leicester City Football Club Yasmine Alibhai Brown Rudolph Walker Curry Fever B4U Arjun Rajyagor Subaskaran Allirajah Ranjit Mathrani Professor Iqbal Singh Naz Choudhry