SPOTLIGHT

FOCUS: WOMEN IN BUSINESS [ special feature ] <<<

This issue we talk to Jennifer McNeil, Partner at Dodds Solictors about life, her career, her aspirations and what it takes to make it in field of family law.

Tell us a little bit about yourself Originally growing up in Derbyshire, I moved to Leicester to study Law & Psychology at De Montfort Uni. I am married with a daughter and a very boisterous cat! I first started at Dodds in 2006 and went off for a few years at another firm for a different perspective. Happily, I returned to my Dodds family in 2017 and haven’t looked back.

Have you always wanted to work in law? Yes, aside from a few failed attempts at waitressing and pouring pints whilst at uni!

How did you decide to specialise in Family law? A friend of mine, who was training to be a barrister, suggested I do some work experience at Dodds and it just so happened that one of their biggest departments was family law which is where I started out. I realised quite early on that this was my preference.

What are the key challenges in your job? The Court service is drowning in cases to process, with all parties wanting their time in court and to be heard fairly. This can create delays which is frustrating for clients.

18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk moments of their life, navigate through it, and out the other side intact and often with a smile at the end.

What is an unusual aspect of the job/something people wouldn’t expect or be surprised that you do? Solicitors do a great deal of their own advocacy i.e. attending court but many think that work is reserved for barristers.

How would your colleagues describe you? You’d have to ask them but I’d probably say ‘tenacious’. That’s probably a polite way of putting it!!

Describe a typical working day? There is often a lot of emails to work through on coming in first thing and that requires copious amounts of coffee. Usually then onto court or client meetings and some more emails and case preparation in the afternoon depending on what’s on the following day. Alternatively, an urgent injunction application of some kind will come in and then everything goes out the window!

Outside of work, what do you like to do? I just love spending time with family and friends, doing anything at all but it often revolves around babies and food! Where are your favourite places in Leicester? I absolutely love the old parts of the city centre. Since the regeneration project began a few years ago, that part of the city just looks better and better.

What is it about the city of Leicester that excites or surprises you most? The constant changing landscape is exciting. It shows growth and development which can only be good news for local businesses.

You specialise in Family Law within Dodds Solicitors; this must be quite stressful sometimes for you? It can be. All families have issues and when those issues have to be litigated or resolved by lawyers, it is a stressful time for all involved but part of my role is to provide objective advice which should hopefully bring the stress levels down.

With mental health being on the lips of everyone at the moment, how do you unwind? I have a great circle of family and friends and we all take care of each other but I do think it is important to take time out for yourself and to ensure that you protect your health both mental and physical. Your wellbeing is so precious, you have to take time out. I unwind with an occasional spa day with the girls when I can, or a good film!

If someone is seeking legal advice on (family) matters, what should they look out for when choosing someone to represent them? As mentioned above family matters can be incredibly stressful and tempered with all sorts of emotions and so best to find someone who is trained to give objective advice, rather than diving in and possibly making matters worse. Resolution trained lawyers are best as they have to pass numerous exams to demonstrate that they are specialists in not antagonising an already difficult situation.

Do you think it’s easier for women to succeed in the legal profession or is there a glass ceiling? I don’t believe in a glass ceiling. I believe that you can achieve anything you fully commit to but I do accept that woman taking time out to raise families can be a challenge to their careers. That said, most of my female friends are lawyers, and many like myself are Directors or Partners despite us all having taken time out for children. I believe that woman still face challenges in the workplace as do many others but I believe that our society is less tolerant of this and people are being awarded senior roles based on merit.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know… Alongside some old friends, I won our Year 8 talent show playing Baby Spice in our Spice Girls band.

What is your ambition? I’ve achieved my goal of becoming a lawyer, a partner and then, a mother. I think for me right now, I am just happy to live in the moment. Who knows where life will take me next?!

Dodds Solicitors is atFriar Lane, Leicester, LE1 5RA. Tel 0116 262 8596 www.dodds-solicitors.co.uk

Dodds Solicitors LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership and is registered in England and Wales Partnership (No OC364487) Registered Office is 32 Friar Lane Leicester LE1 5RA

The Members of Dodds Solicitors LLP are Solicitors and a list of members’ are available for inspection at the registered office Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA No 563422 VAT Registration number 729-9282-86

The independent restaurant and bar NineB, located in the same building as the hotels, will provide hotel and apartment guests, as well as members of the public, a stylish new hub within the development in which to eat, drink and socialise, offering modern British food with an international twist. £50M DEVELOPMENT shows future’S bright for city

The £50 million regeneration of the wider Great Central Square has continued with the opening of the new Novotel hotel and Adagio apartments along with independent restaurant NineB.

Offering 252 rooms that cater for over 500 guests, as well as bespoke meeting spaces and boardrooms, the new hotel significantly strengthens the

development’s corporate offering, Great Central Square also includes No.1 Great Central Square, comprising 33,000 square feet of Grade A office space. The building, which has five floors of rooms available to rent; will provide flexible spaces for creative, independent businesses, entrepreneurial SMEs and established brands. James Conaghan, general manager of the hotels, said: “These are exciting times for the city of Leicester. Its reputation as a national tourist destination is growing, which is creating a clear demand for more hotel rooms and eateries to cater for the influx of visitors, tourists and businesses. We’re all thrilled with this development, and we hope the city and its residents will feel a sense of pride too.”

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The investment from Novotel and Adagio is a ringing endorsement of Leicester as a place that is continuing to grow as a visitor destination, with record numbers of people choosing to spend time in our city. We have built on the momentum generated by the King Richard III story and Leicester City’s amazing Premier League win and as a result, visitor numbers are growing year on year. According to recent tourism figures, over 11 million people visited Leicester last year and, after six years of continued growth, tourism was worth more than £650 million to the local economy”.

With you every step of the way

• Family Matters • Mediation Service • Dispute Resolution • Conveyancing • Commercial Law

• Litigation • Wills & Probate • Tax & Trusts • Criminal Law

Call now to discuss your matter with one of our legal experts 0116 262 8596

Jennifer McNeil Family Matters

DODDS SOLICITORS LLP 32 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA www.dodds-solicitors.co.uk sarah.spence@dodds-solicitors.co.uk

FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION

Visit our beautiful showrooms and speak with our skilled design and project management team who are on hand to complete your vision.

Oadby House 91 The Parade Oadby, Leicester LE2 5BB T. 0116 233 7775 www.sherwinhall.com

[spotlight ] <<<

LET’S CELEBRATE! LET’S CELEBRATE!

Quorn’s Jane Barbeary is a television journalist, news reporter and newly qualified wedding and naming celebrant. Here she explains what celebrants do, and the growing trend for more personalised ceremonies.

You’ve named the date, booked the venue, and decided what to call your twitter hashtag for the big day, - but the important bit, the actual promises you make to the love of your life, are pretty much the same words used by every other couple getting hitched.

There’s not a lot of wriggle room for registrars to really personalise a ceremony to reflect you, as a couple. The laws on marriage date back to 1836, and the language used in ceremonies reflects that time.

22 dluxe-magazine.co.uk Many people find the traditional wording of a church service reassuring and comforting, and that’s truly lovely. But if you want a ceremony that reflects your relationship, and you as individuals, then there is an alternative – The Celebrant.

Celebrants write and deliver ceremonies that are all about you and tailored to your wishes. Think of it as a hand made suit or couture gown, but without the hefty price tag!

Once you’ve done the legal bit at a register office, (midweek is generally the cheapest option. www.leicestershire.gov.uk) you are then able to have your unique ceremony at the venue of your choice.

It can be anywhere, - your favourite restaurant, a beauty spot, stately home, or back garden – the choice is yours. It can be the same day as your legal ceremony or at a later date.

Your ceremony should be uplifting and heart-warming. It should make your family and friends smile, and maybe occasionally sniff. It’s a huge milestone in your life and should leave you with many happy memories.

SO HOW DOES IT WORK?

You can find a celebrant in your area by visiting the Association of Independent Celebrants and The Celebrant Directory websites. Independantcelebrants.com

Alternatively contact Civil Ceremonies who have a list of celebrants they’ve trained and work with. They’re an Ofsted Outstanding Provider offering the only nationally recognised Diploma in Celebrancy: Naming and Couples. www. civilceremonies.co.uk Tel 01480 276080

there. A celebrant wont grill you for your entire life story! They will just gently find out about you, and how you’d like your ceremony to be. It can be as simple or as extravagant as you’d like, and if you’re stuck for inspiration, celebrants have lots of it. You can have family and friends giving readings, poetry or short speeches. You can include religious or spiritual content and have live music or your favourite song played. Children and pets aren’t off limits either, the latest trend is for alpacas as ring bearers! (www. pukkapacas. com )

A Celebrant will write the entire ceremony, including vows or promises if you want them. Some couples prefer to write their own vows, but would like the celebrant to read them aloud. It’s entirely up to you, there are no hard and fast rules. Once the ceremony is written the client is asked to approve it, and if there are any changes to be made, these are done.

They can also write and deliver civil partnership ceremonies, wedding vow renewals and baby naming ceremonies. Some celebrants also train to conduct funerals. As a journalist I know the power of words and the impact of a story well told. With a celebrant ceremony there is so much more you can include to make it stand out.

Rings or other tokens can be exchanged, and symbolic rituals like hand fasting, jumping the broom’ and lighting unity candles, can be woven in.

The key word is CHOICE – it’s Your Day, Your Way. The celebrant is the person who makes that happen, but the content is uniquely yours. Not all celebrants work the same way, we all come from varied backgrounds, but if you find someone you trust with your Big Day then it can be a truly special occasion.

LET’S DO IT…….LET’S CELEBRATE!

Jane Barbeary is a Member of the Associations of Independent Celebrants. You can contact her on 07821 187193 or email her at Jane.barbeary@outlook.com

<<< [ her style ]

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polka what? This season everyone's seeing spots

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WHERE TO GET IT...

1. Outfit by Matalan, 2. Imogen Dress, £199, Hobbs, 3. Tonya Pink Polka Dot Top, £85, Kitri, 4. Spot Ditsy Mix & Match Midi Dress, £75, Oliver Bonas, 5. Sheer Polka-Dot Blouse, £695, Dolce & Gabbana, 6. Vera Red Polka Dot Halterneck Dress, £165, Kitri, 7. Eloise printed silk-crepe wrap maxi dress, £495, Diane Von Furstenburg, 8 White polka-dot denim mini skirt, £300, Marc Jacobs, 9. Spotty Hairband, £25, Dune London 10. Sweet Thing Slingback Shoes, £43, Joe Browns, 11. Flared Polka Dot Dress, £55, Yumi, 12. Cherry polka-dot silk blouse, £390, Lee Mathews, Polka-dot knotted chiffon headband, £60, Lele Sadough 13. Astrid polka-dot satin midi dress, £800, Racil

KEEP CALM <<< [ her style ]

Whilst the start of the year can feel like a horribly gloomy place, it can also be the perfect excuse to look ahead as to what the year has in store. And while the world goes crazy over Boris and Brexit, and Harry and Meghan moving stateside, I just pour another gin and eagerly anticipate what delights the new season will bring and fill up my clients' summer wardrobes.

AND GO SHOPPING

In this new decade, throwaway trends are becoming increasingly unfashionable, and we are all looking for clothes that will have a lasting impact notably with the inevitable capsule wardrobe. The spring summer 2020 runways were notably more commercial than usual, with a focus on classic legacy buys rather than the previous impractical, whimsical and artistic creations, we once saw. Instead collections seemed to be more realistic and wearable. Something right up my street and a much-welcomed stance for those into sustainable fashion.

Whilst the waistcoat and Bermuda shorts are items we’ll be seeing a lot of on the high street (not my bag!) these are my personal favourite, effortless and low maintenance trends to invest in for Spring Summer 2020:

THE NEW TRENCH By no means a surprise, trench coats look set to be hugely popular this spring. This

wardrobe classic was spliced, diced and cleverly restyled. Fashion’s love affair with trench coats are totally justified with its

practical, dependable, goeswith-everything outerwear option. This season it comes in fresh colourways and

finishes. Still a classic style, some showing more feminine finishes, from pleats to prints - that'll soften the often androgynous staple.

SUMMER LEATHER Don’t be shy when it comes to coloured leather, petrol blues, rust browns and lipstick reds were fair game on many of the catwalks. The leather shirt being the most staple and accessible item to add into your summer wardrobe. Think modern staples with simple lines. TROPICAL NIGHTS

We have Jennifer Lopez to thank for this one, thanks to her plunging Versace dress which broke the internet back in 2000. But that wasn't the only jungleleaf print to make an impact for spring. Fendi and Dolce and Gabbana wowed us with some luxuriant green leaves whilst Marni's abstract blooms, tropical prints have been flowering during SS20, with palm trees and vivid colours invading dresses, jackets and footwear that will get us reconnecting with nature.

IT’LL BE ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT Well during the day as well actually. Wear head to toe for that fresh start feeling, my personal purchase will be a white summer dress, style I’m not sure of yet but perhaps something floaty for Santorini (not yet booked, I’m just putting it out there to the universe!)

DOTTY FOR YOU Polka Dots were another print the catwalks were awash with. If you think you’re seeing spots whilst out shopping, you are. No longer twee, think more of a cool and elevated look from dresses to blouses, heels and headbands. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE If ever there was a good time to do Neon it would be now. The highlighter pen shades neon green, pink, yellow, orange and turquoise were on offer from many of the designers.

MAKE A STATEMENT With your collar or neckline! Wide, pointed statement collars appeared on coats, shirts and blazers, with many using zesty or contrasting colours to really exaggerate the lapel. If Victoria Beckham and JW Anderson are backing this, something tells us it'll catch on. Then with necklines is was all about the square, showing off as much décolletage and shoulder as you can, thanks to the '90s minimalist resurgence. Think scoop, square and slashed necklines.

So that’s my round up of the most accessible and investment worthy trends of Spring Summer 2020. I may tap into a couple of them to add into my existing capsule wardrobe to update it slightly. If the thought of it all is a little overwhelming or you feel you just need a bit of guidance over your spring summer wardrobe you know where I am.

Your Fairy Clothes Mother xx

WATCH STATION RRP £279.00 OUTLET £95.90 WATCH STATION RRP £279.00 OUTLET £95.90

get the lookget the look

Capture the essence of this trend with statement stripes and polka dot perfection. Capture the essence of this trend with statement stripes and polka dot perfection.

LEVI’S RRP £65.00 OUTLET £45.00 LEVI’S RRP £65.00 OUTLET £45.00

M&S RRP £27.50 OUTLET £19.50 M&S RRP £27.50 OUTLET £19.50

optic graphics CURRENT MOOD: optic graphics CURRENT MOOD:

Loving this season’s geometric look? Ace the trend with these must-have pieces for up to 60% less at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands Loving this season’s geometric look? Ace the trend with these must-have pieces for up to 60% less at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands

GAP RRP £29.99 OUTLET £17.99 GAP RRP £29.99 OUTLET £17.99

brands you’ll lovebrands you’ll love

Discover everything from stand out jackets to monochrome trousers with our new arrivals from sought-after brands including Joules, Kurt Geiger, Radley London and more. Discover everything from stand out jackets to monochrome trousers with our new arrivals from sought-after brands including Joules, Kurt Geiger, Radley London and more.

<<< [ his style ]

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SHOW YOUR STRIPES

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WHERE TO GET IT...

1. Outfit by Burton, 2. Scotty striped cotton top, £45, Carhartt, 3. Navy striped woven shirt, £110, Samsoe & Samsoe, 4. Tommy Jeans Stripe Organic Cotton T £40, 5. Paul Smith Mother of Pearl Stripe Button Cufflinks, Mono £110 John Lewis, 6. Blue striped cotton shirt, £105, Polo Ralph Lauren., 7. True Stripe Panel Trainers, Black £55 Dune, 8. Dawlish Stripe Polo in Navy, £32.50, FatFace., 9. Braces, £19.99, Zara, 10. Appliquéd Striped Stretch Cotton-Blend Socks, £90, Gucci, 11. Paul Smith Artist Stripe Card Holder, £65 John Lewis, 12. Kennick Short Sleeve BiStripe Linen Shirt, Blue £110 Reiss, 13. Kin Jumbo Stripe Knit Jumper, £55 John Lewis, 14. Burberry stripe espadrilles £340 Harvey Nichols

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INVEST IN TECH <<< [ his style ]

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Opting for functionality doesn’t mean you have to forego fashion – the new breed of innovative fabrics mean your wardrobe can be super stylish and practical. LISA PIDDINGTON selects the new season pieces that tick all the boxes, from high-tech mesh and nylon to directional denim and panelled detailing.

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1. Moncler Argentiere panelled shell jacket, £855 2. Balenciaga Speed stretch-knit sneakers, £540 3. Saint Laurent Paris logo nylon holdall, £740 4. Off-White Odsy-1000 mesh sneakers, £545 5. Balmain shell and denim jacket, £1675 6. Gucci panelled logo shell jacket, £1510 7. Off-White neoprene bomber jacket, £975 8. Canada Goose Camouflage Arctic-Tech shell gilet, £425 9. Palm Angels panelled twill cargo trousers, £425 10. Eastpak X Alpha Industries army green shell backpack, £70

Ah, spring how we have missed you! We may have escaped a harsh winter but it’s been too darn wet so we can’t wait to hang up our ontrend hiking boots and slip into some sandals… maybe after Easter… STYLE ALERT

So, now’s the time to get our wardrobe’s warm weather ready. One of this season’s key trends is for neutral and pastel shades so first things first, see what’s already in your wardrobe and work round it! Before you shop always have a game plan – remember what you’ve already got and what you’ve not – it’s important so you don’t duplicate. New season shopping is all about integrating not replacing!

Remember shopping for the season is not necessarily the same as trend shopping so feel free to mix things up a little whilst nodding at what the snap happy fashionista’s online are up to. Rather than follow a trend, try following a vibe and add a certain sensibility to your look without hopping on anyone's bandwagon. This could be eighties gloss, vintage style or sports luxe chic for example. Choose your vibe and then integrate the trends that work within it.

Follow him online at @ekindaglii www.ekindagli.com LINEN LOOK “Linen is my friend right now. It’s a wardrobe classic so not trendy - trendy and being light and breathable, it’s an excellent choice for warmer climes. Team it with another neutral and you’ve got your trend-based look without being try hard – it’s adaptable, too, so the go to choice that will take you from daywear to a casual dinner with effortless style.”

SET THE TONE Creating a fashionable statement doesn’t always require a bold dose of colour. Don’t believe me? Just look to Florence for proof. The gents in town for Pitti Uomo created some seriously striking outfits by keeping things neutral. Decked out from head to toe in creams, beiges and caramels, these gents appeared anything from boring. Imagine a paint chart: choose tones that sit together without being the same to create some muchneeded contrast – like I did with these linen trousers from Zara and same tone T-shirt from Guess.

GO ROUND Clear out your sunnies and start again. While the round sunglasses trend may have started with the ladies, it’s now the gents’ turn to rock the look. Sharp, stylish and seriously round, these sunglasses are more about making a style statement than shielding your eyes from the sun. They’re a great way to make your look fashion forward. I found these vintage Giorgio Armani 90’s glasses online and they make a unique style statement. When sunglasses shopping always take a friend for that all important second opinion!

S’ LONG SNEAKERS No matter whether your trews are short or long, ditch the deck shoes and sling out your sneakers in favour of a classic sandal.. and if you’re still in sliders then just stop reading now! Menswear designers having been pushing the concept of resort lines for the last few years which means there’s much more choice out there. No longer should sandals be confined to the beach, instead, men can decide to wear them out and about. For my tonal beige linen look I opted for a brown cross strap sandals in brown to keep things neutral whilst adding a little contrast and complete my look.