Introduction
PRESIDENT’S REVIEW SPRING 2018 Hampshire Law Society – New President
Kristina Colmer I was born in Portsmouth much to my father’s dismay as he is a very big Saints fan. I have subsequently lived most of my life in Hampshire apart from some time in Bristol to complete my legal practice course and to Gerrard’s Cross for a few years afterwards where I worked a high street law firm. I am currently living in Andover with my partner, my step daughter, my dog, cat and a number of fish! Law was not my first choice. In fact, I had originally been accepted to study Religious Studies, but at the last minute changed to Law. I studied at Southampton Solent - it was the Institute then. My training contract was with a Criminal Practice in Portsmouth. After completing this I started practising family law. I am however currently working as a project manager in telecoms, managing a project called ESN (short for Emergence Services Network). This is where locations for telephone masts are being acquired across the UK for the Emergence Services Network, hence ESN. The Government has pledged to have emergency coverage across the whole of the Country by 2020. This is not an easy task as some of the locations are very remote, and not everyone likes the idea of a telephone mast being erected in their village - even if it is for the emergency service! As an example there was an island where five people opposed the mast not usually a problem unless those 5 people make up over three quarters of the population.
There is, a legal side to this job. After the various locations have been identified, the company needs legally acquire the site. This can also be somewhat tricky, especially on land with shared access, or land that also involves dealing with tenants and crofters. I love to travel, and explore new places. I also love sports, and am a season ticket holder at Southampton Football Club where i regularly attends football matches with my father. I have held a season ticket since 2004, travelling down to league one and back again. This season is a little tense so far! I have been a member of HILS for a few years and very much enjoy being a part of the committee. We have seen plenty of change over the past few years and I am really looking forward to seeing what the next year brings. My focus will be very much on “Hampshire” as illustrated with the theme of the annual dinner. I am also keen to explore the national “Women in Law” initiative, maximise the benefits of the awards and would encourage you to take part and improve our social media presence. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries or issues you would like me to tackle during my tenure.
Kristina Colmer Hampshire Law Society President
An interview with the President of Hampshire Law Society
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Kristina Colmer What prompted you to enter the law as a profession?
What are you most looking forward to in your role of President?
I actually did a Health and Social care course at college and it was whilst doing this that my interest in law started. During the course we undertook a law module and we visited the Magistrates Court to see a trial. From that point I wanted to work in the Courts.
Meeting lots of people from Hampshire and beyond.
What person (if any) inspired you to become a solicitor? It was not really an inspirational person but a comment from one person which made me sit up and really persue Law. I have dyslexia and when I told this person I wanted to study Law at university he said maybe I should think about something easier. That just made me all the more determined to succeed.
What prompted you to become President? I really hope that I can make a difference as President and continue the great work of the past Presidents. I am younger than some of the previous incumbents and hope I can provide something a little different including increasing our Social Media presence
What is the one main issue you want to tackle during your tenure? Social Media. I know it sound simple but everything happens on social media at the moment and I would like HILS to also be a part of this. To this end I would ask you all to follow us both on linkedIn and twitter.
Which public figure do you most admire and why? This is very difficult because there is no one person I admire most. I admire so many for different things for example Sir David Attenborough for the sheer wealth of entertainment and knowledge he had brought into so many lives or Chris Packham who is our annual dinner speaker this year
What do you like to do in your spare time? I love traveling and see new places. My absolute favorite place is Italy and a very close second is New Zealand. At the risk of upsetting our Portsmouth members, I am a very big Southampton FC (Saints) fan, I am a season ticket holder and have been for over ten years – this means I have travelled to League 1 and back again with the Saints Films I love films and the cinema (and not just for the popcorn). I am always scanning the new films coming up and planning my next trip.
What book did you last read? A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and I loved it. What is your favourite film?
Redemption, North by North West, The Holiday, Sleepers, One Flew over the Cockoos Nest……
What three items would you have on your desert island? Lip Balm, Tea (English breakfast) and flint to start fires. What would you say to a youngster today, who was considering joining the legal profession? It can be very rewarding however do not believe it is like Suits!
There is no way I can pick just one file I struggle with a top 10! You will find in my top ten, Lord of the Rings (all of them), Stand by Me, Shawshank
HAMPSHIRE LEGAL
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