Conference speaker spotlight: Nicola Smith
Nicola is a specialist employment law and industrial relations lawyer who has practised exclusively in this field since 2007.
She advises clients on the full range of employment law matters including managing complex employment matters, disciplinary matters, performance management, managing long-term absences including medical retirements and responding to employee complaints and grievances. Nicola also specialises in the conduct of litigation and public service appeals involving employment issues and unfair dismissal claims.
At this year’s conference, Nicola will be presenting the Giving evidence masterclass with her colleague, Karen Watson. In their masterclass, Nicola and Karen will look at what happens before you attend court as a witness, etiquette in the hearing room, how you address the judge/tribunal member and what to do when you are in the witness box.
Nicola shares a bit more about herself below …
I’ve been practicing law for: 17 years
I’ve been working at Crown Law for … 22 years (yep, it’s a lot)
Prior to that, I was … so much younger – and doing my arts degree
What drew you to the area of law you’re practising in? I specialise in employment law (and primarily misconduct and discipline). I was drawn to it by an innate interest in people – their motivations, explanations and relationship with the truth.
My conference topic is relevant/important to government officers because … Giving evidence can be scary, but information is power.
If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be … a life coach. Or a doggy day care worker.
To wind down I like to … walk/hike, read, socialise, paint (walls, not art), travel, clean, find and eat at new restaurants. My idea of ‘winding down’ is a bit different to most.
I am passionate about … having positive conversations about mental health (at work) and am otherwise passionate about rescue greyhounds.
I enjoy working at Crown Law because … I work with the best people in the business, and the quality and variety of the work is completely unique.