WELCOME SIMON COATES TO THE HORSFIELD MENZIES TEAM

We are excited to announce that Simon Coates has joined Horsfield Menzies as a Consultant Solicitor based in our Leeds office. I managed to sit down and ask him some questions about his career to date and here’s what he had to say:

What’s your career journey been to date? 

On qualification in 1988 I worked at with S J Berwin & Co as a commercial litigator, acting for some major banks and listed companies. In 1992 I moved to Leeds, where I developed an interest in employment law and become a senior employment law specialist with Eversheds. I left to help set up a Leeds office for Irwin Mitchell, and by 2000 I was National Head of Employment and Pensions, before leaving in 2010 to set up my own specialist law firm. After 15 years I have seen the light and joined HM. 

What’s been your career highlight? 

The most fun was getting an alcohol licence for the National Gallery - Princess Diana wanted hold evening charity functions there. After nearly two centuries of not having to comply with alcohol, hygiene and safety rules the Gallery had lost Crown Immunity and had to apply for an alcohol licence to The Board of Green Cloth, which dates back to 1360 and was the licensing body for Trafalgar Square. It sat in Buckingham Palace in a grand state room, would you believe.  I had lots of trips to the Gallery, including behind the scenes where they restored paintings - which was fascinating, and was shown all the hidden doors in the galleries, plus a trip to Buckingham Palace. And yes, I did see the Queen! 

What excites you about joining Horsfield Menzies?

The spirit and ethos of the firm is great, as is the range of client services it can offer. I know what it is like to set up a firm, and I can appreciate the time, thought and commitment that has gone into building HM. It aims to provide a genuinely client-led service in a creative way.  

What do you like to do when you’re not busy lawyering? 

I spend as much time as I can outdoors, so a lot of time in the garden or on walking trips. I also have a fairly long bucket list of places to see, so there is still plenty of travelling to do. Outside of that, we spend a lot of time socialising with friends and family.

Find Simon’s full bio HERE