MilitaryinLawNetwork
ReservistsarevitaltoDefencecapability,butwithoutsupportiveemployersitcanbeverydifficult–if notimpossible–tocontinuetoserveandcontribute.MiLNeTcanassistinthisregardbyhelpingto spreadthewordaboutthebenefitsofReserveservicetocivilianemployers,developingstrengthslike leadership,loyalty,reliabilityandteam-working,whichareallvaluedasmuchinthecivilianworldas theyareinDefence.
ForewordParliamentaryUnderSecretaryofState(MinisterforDefencePeopleandVeterans)LeoDochertyMP
ParliamentaryPicturedisthecurrentUnderSecretaryofState(MinisterforDefencePeopleandVeterans)andParliamentarySecretary(MinisterforDefencePeopleandVeterans),orMinDPV,LeoDochertyMP.©UKParliament2021
Havinganetworkofpeoplewhohavebeenthroughthatprocessthemselves, whounderstandthehugechangesthatService-leaversaregoingthroughas theymoveintociviliancareers,and,justasimportantly,therealstrengthsthat membersoftheArmedForcescanbringtothecivilianworkplace,aboveand beyondtheirtechnicalandacademicskillsandqualifications,cananddoes makeareal,positivedifference.
ThefirstdutyofGovernmentisthedefenceoftherealm.Our ArmedForcesfulfilthatresponsibilityonbehalfofthe Government,sacrificingsomecivilianfreedoms,facingdanger and,sometimes,sufferingseriousinjuryordeathasaresultof theirduty.Familiesalsoplayavitalroleinsupportingthe operationaleffectivenessofourArmedForces.Inreturn,the wholenationhasamoralobligationtothemembersofthe ArmedForcesandtheirfamilies.Theydeserveourrespectand support,andfairtreatment.
ThatiswhyIwasdelightedtolearnoftheformationofthe MilitaryinLawNetworkorMiLNet,andofitsobjectivestosupport Reservistsemployedinthelegalprofession,andtoassist Serviceleaverstomakethetransitionintolegalandrelated rolesinthecivilianworkplace.Iknowfrommydiscussionswith servingandformermembersofthearmedforcesthatthe processofmovingintocivilianemploymentcanbeoneofthe mostdauntingperiodsoftheirlives.Anythingcivilianemployers candotomakethatprocesseasieristobewelcomed.
IwishMiLNeTeverysuccessforthefutureandIlookforwardtoreceivingupdatesonitsprogressin thecomingmonthsandyears.IwouldencouragethelegalprofessionacrosstheUKtoconsider playingapartinthenetwork.
IamalsopleasedthatMiLNetwillalsoactasabridgeoverwhichmembersoftheregular ArmedForcescancrossintothelegalsectorattheendoftheirmilitaryservice,bringing withthemawealthofskillsandexperience,muchofwhich,aswithReservists,canreadily transferintothecivilianworkplace.MakingthatleapcanbeachallengingtimeforService personnelsohavingasupportnetworklikeMiLNetcaneasetheprocess,helpingtomake thelegalprofessionarealisticandmorepopularoptionforService-leavers.
AsaReservistmyselfforthepast35years,Iknowthatnoneof thiswouldbepossiblewithoutthehelpandsupportofcivilian employers,workcolleaguesandfamilies,allofwhomplayapart inmakingReserveserviceapracticalpropositionforthosewho choosethisroute.
IhaveseenformyselfjusthowmuchofmymilitarytrainingandexperienceIhavebeen abletoimportbackintomyworkasalawyer:thinkingandactingunderpressure;working aspartofateam;leadership;decision-making;andplanningareallattributesthathave beenhonedbymymilitaryservice,andhavebeenvaluedbymycivilianemployers. Defence,ofcourse,benefitsfromthediversityofknowledgeandexperienceimportedfrom civilianlife.
Forme,theimportanceofMiLNetisobvious:providingasupportnetworkforReservists employedinthelegalprofession,andhelpingtospreadthewordnotjustaboutthebenefits ofReserveservicetoindividuals,but,justasimportant,howemployerscanbenefitfromthe skillsandexpertisethattheirpeoplegainfromtimespentinuniform.
ForewordAVMRanaldMunroCBETDVRDL
ReservistsplayakeypartinhelpingtoprotecttheUKandits interestsathomeandoverseas.Theyareacriticalelementof Defencecapabilityandtodaytheycanbefoundserving alongsidetheirregularcounterpartsintheMiddleEast,Ukraine andBalkans.In2020,theyformedasignificantcomponentofthe CovidSupportForceandprovidedalmostalloftheUK’s contributiontotheUNPeacekeepingForceinCyprus.
ThatiswhyIamdelightedthattheMilitaryinLawNetwork–MiLNet–isgettingoffthe ground.
LawFirmscanattractandretainsomeofthebesttalentavailablefromtheArmedForces whetheraslawyersorinbusinessservices.Teamwork,self-confidence,leadershipqualities andexperienceofotherculturesarehighly-prizedattributesthatServicepersonneldevelop andbringtotheworkplace.Undergoingtrainingandservingonoperationsalsodevelop resourcefulness,perseveranceandtheabilitytoimproviseinunfamiliarordifficult circumstances.
Therearealargenumberofveteransandreservistswhohavehadtheircareersinlaw enhancedbytheirmilitaryservice.Manyveteranshavetransitionedtobecomesuccessful fee-earnersandmanagersinlawfirmsandmanyreservistshavehadadualcareerpath usingvaluableskillsandexperiencegainedinthemilitarytobecomeleadersinbothinthe ArmedForcesandinthelegalindustry.
AboutMiLNetTheNetwork
MiLNetisthenewlyformednetworkforthelegalcommunity,oneofthemostdynamicand valuabletothenation’seconomyandneedingtheverybesttalenttohelpitmaintainits globalreputationforexcellence.
Agrowingnumberofindustrysectorshaveestablishedmilitarynetworks.Theysupport Serviceleaverstransitioningintotheirsector,providinginternships,workplacementsand insightdays.ManyorganisationsalsohavetheirowninternalVeteransNetworktocontinue thesupportonceServiceleaversandreservistsonceemployed.
Thosealreadyworkinginlawfirmsknowthattheydon’tjustemploylawyersbutneedthe besttalentinIT,HR,clientrelationshipmanagement,financeandalltheotherskillsthat makelawfirmssuccessful.TheseareallareaswhereServicepersonnelcanexcel,butasa sectorweneedtogetthemessageoutthatlawfirmsoffersomeofthebestcareer opportunitiesforhighlymotivatedprofessionals.
AboutMiLNetMiLNet’sFourKeyObjectives •Topromoterecruitmentopportunitiesinthelegalsectorforthemilitary community. •Topromotebestpracticeinemployingveteransandreservistsandencourage legalemployerstoparticipateintheArmedForcesCovenantandEmployer RecognitionScheme •Todevelopamilitarynetworkwithinthelegalindustry. •Tosupportmilitarycharities.
ManycompanieshavealreadysignedtheArmedForcesCovenant.TheCovenantisabout acknowledgingthecommitmentoftheArmedForcesandthevitalcontributiontheymake tothesafetyandsecurityofthecountryandensuringthatservicetotheCountrydoesnot putthemortheirfamiliesatadisadvantage.Foremployersthismightmeanbeingflexible aroundhiringprocedures,leaveorworklocation.Butbeingasupportiveemployeralso bringsbenefits,notleasttheloyaltyanddedicationofsomeoftheverybesttalentthe countryhastooffer.
AboutMiLNetTheArmedForcesCovenant
Identifyingyourorganisationasforcesfriendlycanhelpintherecruitmentandretentionof veteransandreservistsandattractpeopleleavingtheServices.Thatmeansyoucantap intothetransferableskillsandvaluabletrainingtheRoyalNavy,BritishArmyandRoyalAir Forcedelivertotheirpersonnel.Theteamwork,self-confidenceandleadershipdeveloped bytheServicesisvaluabletoanyorganisation.
Signingthecovenantsisafirststepinmakingitknownnotonlytoservicepersonnel,but alsotoyourclientandyourcommunitythatyouvaluewhattheArmedForcesdoandthe hardandsoftskillstheydevelopintheirpeople.
AboutMiLNetMODEmployerRecognitionScheme
ManylawfirmsalreadysupportServiceleavers,reservistsandfamiliesofthosewhoserve butdosointheirownquietway,whileothersarenotawareofhowdoingsocouldhelptheir business.WhynotreceivetherecognitionforthesupportyoualreadygivetoDefenceor wouldliketo,throughtheMODEmployerRecognitionScheme?Thisscheme,whichallows youtouseitslogoonyourinternalandexternalcommunications,seestheawardingof Bronze,SilverandGoldAwardseachyear.Someofthelargestandbest-knowncompanies intheUKincludinginthefinancialservices,accountingandinsuranceindustrieshave workedhardtoachieveGoldAwardstatusandareproudadvocatesofhowtheirsupportto Defencehasbenefitedtheirbusinessinmanyways.Lawfirmsarestillnotaswell representedastheyshouldbe,giventhehugeamountofsupportthatmanyalreadyoffer, andMiLNetwantstohelpchangethis.
AboutMiLNetMemberFirmsandOrganisations
CommitteeRanaldMunroCBETDVRDL–Chairman
MatthewWalsh–Secretary
MattWalshisanexperiencedprogrammemanagerwitharangeof infrastructure,network,cyberandAIprojects.PriortojoiningClifford ChanceLLPin2017,MattwasaprojectmanageratUKParliament.With operationalexperienceinIraq,andoverseasdeploymentstoBelize, KazakhstanandCanada,MattcontinuestoserveintheArmyReserveas aCaptaininTheRifles.
SimonMcMenemy–ViceChairman
SimonMcMenemyistheLondonOfficeManagingpartnerofUS employmentfirmOgletreeDeakins.HewascalledtotheBarin1995and subsequentlyqualifiedasasolicitorspecialisinginemploymentlaw.He alsoadvisesondataprivacyintheworkplaceandisaCertified InformationPrivacyProfessionalaswellasatrainedmediator.Simon’s militarycareerhasrunalongsidehislegalcareerforthelast25years. HavingjoinedtheInnsofCourt&CityYeomanrywhileatBarSchool,he hasdeployedonoperationsandendedhisRegimentalserviceas CommandingOfficerofanArmyReserveLightCavalryRegiment,The RoyalYeomanry.SimonhasalsoworkedatPJHQ,HQLondonDistrictand ArmyHeadquarters.
RanaldMunrowascalledtotheEnglishandWelshBaratGraysInnin1986.He hassignificantin-houselegalandcommercialexperience,havingworkedina numberofmulti-nationalorganisations,inadiverserangeofindustries.Heis currentlyanindependentconsultant.RanaldisanAirVice-MarshalintheRAF ReserveappointedtotheroleofCommandantGeneralRoyalAuxiliaryAir ForceandChiefofStaffReserves,theRAF’sSeniorReserveappointment.Prior tohisappointment,hewasaMajorGeneralintheArmyReserveandservedas AssistantChiefofDefenceStaff(ReservesandCadets),atri-service appointment–Defence’smostseniorReserveappointment.
CommitteeKathleneBurke–CharitiesLead
AlistairJohnson–FinanceLead
BenMcGuire–CommsLead
AlistairJohnsonservedfor6yearsintheRoyalEngineers,servingon operationsinBosnia,NorthernIrelandandKosovoandundertookseveral exercisesinCanada,PolandandBrunei.HejoinedFujitsuonamilitary leaversprogrammeandhasspentthelast20yearsinavarietyof operationalmanagementrolesprimarilyinthetechnologyandlegal sectors.HeiscurrentlytheCOOatinternationallawfirmRPCand volunteersasamentorwiththecharitySupportingWoundedVeterans.
Followinga15yearcareerwiththeLightInfantryandthentheRifles, includingoperationaltourstoNorthernIreland,Bosnia,Iraqand Afghanistan,BenMcGuirelefttheArmyin2012andcompletedthefulltime MBAatWarwickBusinessSchool.HeisnowtheManagingDirectorof Simmons&SimmonsSolutions,andisresponsibleforthegrowthand integrationofSimmons&Simmonsnon-traditionalbusinessesand capabilities.
KatBurkeisacorporaterestructuringlawyeratSkadden,Arps,Slate, Meagher&Flom(UK)LLP.Katrepresentsdebtors,creditorsandequity holdersinlargecomplexrestructurings,withanemphasisoncross-border cases.SheisalsotheleadUK/EUSkadVetscoordinator.Priortoherlegal career,KatservedasanautomatedlogisticsspecialistfortheUSArmy’s 8thMilitaryPoliceBrigadeandwasstationedinSouthKorea.
SidWelhamservedfor18yearsintheRoyalWelsh(Infantry).Followinghis militarycareer,Sidspent8yearsworkinginmanagerial,operationalroles atKPMGLLPUK.HeisnowtheCOOofHFW.
VictoriaLittmodenisaCyberSecurityAnalystatHFW.Priortocivilian employment,Victoriaspent5yearsattheRoyalElectricalandMechanical Engineers(REME)asaLevel2VehicleMechanic.
SidWelham–COO,HFW
SimonMaxwell–TraineeSolicitor,HFW
MarkParrservedfor27yearsintheRoyalCorpsofSignalsandhasheld downpositionsofCIOoftheMulti-NationalDivision(South)andCIOand CTOofthe14IraqiDivision.Hehasworkedinavarietyofinformation securityrolesatKPMGandisnowtheGlobalDirectorofITatHFW.
SimonMaxwellisaTraineeSolicitoratHFW.Priortohislegalcareer,Simon spent4yearsintheRoyalMarinesandhasalsoservedasaTroop CommanderinAfghanistan.HehasworkedasanAnalystattheNational CrimeAgencyandasaShipbrokeratBraemarACM.
MemberProfilesMarkParr–GlobalDirectorofIT,HFW
VictoriaLittmoden–CyberSecurityAnalyst,HFW
MemberProfilesRichBurbidge–ProjectManager,HFW
JonathanGouldingservedfor18yearsintheRoyalNavy,predominantlyas aPrincipalWarfareOfficer.Followinghismilitarycareer,Jonathanhas spent12yearsatHFWspecialisinginAdmiralty,CrisisManagementand MarineInsurance.
MikeForshawservedfor3yearsintheRoyalCorpsofSignalsand6years intheRoyalRegimentofArtillery.Hispost-militaryemploymenthistory includesworkingasaBranchMaintenanceManageratJohnLewisandas aDeputyHeadofFacilitiesandEngineeringManageratDentonsUK& MiddleEastLLP.
RichBurbidgeservedfor8yearsintheRoyalNavyasaWarfareOfficer. RichcontinuestoserveintheRoyalNavyReserveasanInformation OperationsOfficer,alongsidehisroleasProjectManageratHFW.
MikeForshaw–HFWPropertyManager,HFW
JonathanGoulding–SolicitorandMariner,HFW
AlexVakilisaSeniorAssociateatRPC,specialisinginmediaanddata relateddisputes.Priortohislegalcareer,Alexservedfor11yearsinthe ArmyReserve–spending3yearsintheBristolOfficerTrainingCorpsand 8yearsintheRoyalYeomanry.
AndrewCarpenter–CorporateLawyer,RPC
MemberProfilesKarlKnowles–HeadofCyberandServiceDelivery,HFW
KarlKnowlesservedfor25yearsintheRoyalCorpsofSignals.Followinghis militarycareer,KarlworkedasaCyberManageratDeloitteLLPUKandas aInformationSecurityConsultantatBSI.HeisnowtheHeadofCyberand ServiceDeliveryatHFW.
AlexVakil–SeniorAssociate,RPC
PeterLewis–DirectorofInt’lOperations,AkinGumpLLP
AndrewCarpenterisaCorporateLawyeratRPC.Andrewhasalsoworked atothergloballawfirmssuchasHFW,WatsonFarley&Williams,and StephensonHarwood.Priortohislegalcareer,Andrewspent6yearsinthe 9th/12thRoyalLancers.
PeterLewisservedfor23yearsintheRoyalAirForce(GroundBranch). Duringhismilitarycareer,PeterwasHeadoftheRAFInfrastructure Organisation,aswellasDirectorofRAFCommand&StaffTraining.His post-militaryemploymenthistoryincludesworkingasanInternational COO/Directoratvariousgloballawfirms.
Followinga10yearcareerwiththeRoyalAirForce,LeeDoylecompleteda fulltimeMBAatDundeeBusinessSchool.Hehasheldseveralseniorroles atCliffordChanceLLP,includingPurchasingManagerandBusiness ServicesManager,andisnowtheHeadofFacilitiesandBusiness Operations.
HaigTyler–ChiefInformationOfficer,HerbertSmithFreehills
JamesLawservedfor4yearsintheBritishArmyasaninfantryofficerwith the1stBattalionColdstreamGuards.DuringhistimeintheArmy,James alsoparticipatedinoperationaltourstoBosniaandAfghanistan.Heis nowaSeniorAssociateatCliffordChanceLLPandadvisesonallaspects ofrealestateincludingacquisitions,disposals,development,leasing, financingandtherealestateaspectsofcorporatetransactions.
HaigTylerservedfor12yearsintheRoyalAirForceasanEngineering Officer.Initially,Haigwasaflightcommanderbeforehemovedintoa commandrolefocusingonthedesignandoperationoftheRAFandMoD communicationsnetworksandITsystems.PriortojoiningHerbertSmith Freehills,heworkedinvariousseniorIToperationsanddeliveryroles.
CliffordLeeDoyle–HeadofFacilitiesandBusinessOperations,ChanceLLP
DavidRobertsjoinedtheRoyalAirForcein1981asaSimulatorTechand commissionedintherankofFlyingOfficerin1988.Daviddescribeshis journeyintheRAFas‘ongoing’.In2015hejoinedHerbertSmithFreehillsas theHeadofITSecurity,aglobalrolereportingtotheCIO.
JamesLaw–SeniorAssociate,CliffordChanceLLP
MemberProfilesDavidRoberts–HeadofITSecurity,HerbertSmithFreehills
StephenLeeisanAssociateatSkadden,Arps,Slate,MeagherandFlom (UK)LLP.Priortohislegalcareer,Stephenservedfor21monthsinthe RepublicofKoreaArmy.
MemberProfilesStephenLee–Associate(Corporate),Skadden
DavidHu–Associate(InternationalLitigationandArbitration),Skadden
DavidHuisanAssociateatSkadden,Arps,Slate,MeagherandFlom(UK) LLP.Priortohislegalcareer,Davidservedfor2yearsintheSingapore ArmedForces.
SkaddenGregNorman–Partner(InvestmentManagement),
GregNormanservedasaGapYearCommissionedOfficerfrom2001to 2002.Greghasalsoservedasa2ndLieutenantinthe1stBattalionRoyal RegimentofFusiliers.HeisnowaPartneratSkadden,specialisingin privatefundsandinvestmentmanagement.
HowYouCanGetInvolved
•JoinusforoneofoureventsincludingCVandinterviewworkshops.
•Supportorhosteventstothemilitarycommunity.
•Educateyourfirmontheskillsandbenefitsofemployingfromthemilitary community.
•SupporttheReservesandyourownreservistcolleagues.
•Createaninternalmilitarynetworkforyourcolleaguesandencourage networkingandalliesacrossthebusiness.
•Identifyandencouragefundraisingformilitarycharities.
•ReviewyourHRpoliciesandprocesses–wecanhelpwiththis.
•SigntheArmedForcesCovenanttodemonstrateyoursupportforthemilitary community.
•SignuptoMiLNetasamemberfirm.Visitourwebsiteformoreinformation–www.milnet.uk
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