Meet…Zack Baines

Zack Baines is a Legal Executive at Holden Smith

What is your role at Holden Smith and how did you get into a career in law?

I am a legal executive, and I start my training contract in September this year. I actually took law on a whim during A-levels (to fill an elective space) with the intention of pursing medicine, and quickly realised I hated science and loved law!

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I’d love to say ‘telling clients they’ve completed on their new home’ but estate agents usually beat us to the punch line, so that’s a rarity! I’d have to say one on one meetings to run through reports. There’s something rewarding walking away from a working day knowing you’ve just passed on some knowledge and your client feels the bespoke service we offer.

What is your number one career highlight to date?

Most definitely getting my training contract. I worked for years in the industry getting promotions with more and more ‘seniors’ or ‘technicals’ added to my title, but it all feels real when you’re finally on the path to the end goal.

Tell us what makes Holden Smith different…

Holden smith always tries to take the ‘real life’ approach. Instead of simply saying ‘this is an issue, we won’t proceed’ we try explain the risks to clients, the options available, and provide a bespoke service to each client putting them in the driving seat, instead of the archaic way of ‘we know best as your lawyer so we’ll do what we think is best with no consultation with you’.

What three words do you think (hope!) your colleagues would use to describe you?

Passionate, committed, and quirky.

What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not at work?

If I’m not away travelling to a cottage with a hot tub somewhere remote with my dogs and fiancé, you’ll usually find me curled up on the sofa with wine and a new PlayStation 5 game.

What’s your favourite spot in Yorkshire and why?

Standing on top of the Ingleborough Peak knowing you’ve tackled all three peaks and won, and you’re only a short walk away from the pub for your victory pint.

What’s your party trick?

Convincing my friends I just need a bit of fresh air and bolting out of the door into a taxi before midnight without anyone noticing because I’m ready for bed.

If you could change any law in the world, what would it be – and why?

Up the Challenge 25 law to 30 so I start getting asked for ID again. Everyone loves a little ego boost and being told they look young!