Justin McConville - Day 9 of the 12 days of PDT Christmas

What is your role at PDT? 

 

Disputes are the last thing that clients wish to deal with in their businesses. They can cost a lot of money, divert attention and resource away from the business, and can sometimes cause reputational damage. My job is to solve and bring an end to business disputes.

 

 

What changes has 2021 brought you / your industry and your career?

 

I welcomed my first child! A positive of Covid-19, if I may put it that way, is that I have been afforded far more time at home with my son than I would’ve enjoyed in normal times. In terms of my work, Covid-19 has dramatically changed the way litigation is conducted. Client meetings, court hearings and mediations are now conducted by video conference and paperwork is fully electronic. Working from home can also be a lot more efficient at times. It has all been very seamless in fact. In many ways a very bad situation has forced us to quickly adapt and I think there will be many positive working legacies which are retained long after Covid-19 is fully managed.

 

 

If Santa could bring you one gift that would help or improve your working life what would that be?

 

Oh go on, then. I want Ricky Gervais as a colleague.

 

 

What are you looking forward to the most this Christmas?

 

My mother and brother visiting for Christmas. South Africa has been on the ‘red list’ ever since my child was born. A very excited South African grandmother and uncle, Omicron variant free I hasten to add, are looking forward to belatedly meeting the newest addition to the family this Christmas.

 

 

What is the most bizarre Christmas present you have ever received/ given?

 

I asked for a Walkman for Christmas when I was 10 years old. My wish came true, but unfortunately, I hadn’t thought to ask for any cassette tapes to play in it. The Walkman came with a 2 minute demo tape – of Mozart’s Symphony no. 40 in G Minor – which I listened to on repeat for the next 7 months, until my birthday, when my birthday wish came true: ‘The Simpson’s Sing the Blues’ album on cassette tape.

 

 

What’s the best or worst cracker joke you’ve ever heard?

 

Best: What did one snowman say to the other snowman? “Can you smell carrots?”

Worst: What did Adam say the day before Christmas? It’s Christmas, Eve.

 

 

In a Christmas fantasy land, who would be the famous figures (past or present), at your dinner table and why?

 

Alex Ferguson. Not that I have any affinity for Manchester United, but I think he’d have some fascinating stories to share.

 

Bernard Cornwell, my favourite fiction author. I listened to him deliver a talk in Guildford a few years ago. His stories got better with the more wine he drank on stage. I’d keep the wine flowing.

 

Keith Moon, the infamous drummer of The Who, to liven things up a little.

 

D.B. Cooper, to answer the mystery (and pay the dinner bill).

 

 

Any New Year’s resolutions?

 

New Year’s resolutions are terribly dull and boring things. Life is meant to be lived!

 

 

What do you think 2022 will bring for you, your career and relationship with PDT going forward?

 

Not wanting to put a dampener on the festive spirit, the economic outlook for 2022 isn’t looking particularly rosy, but that usually means an uptick in commercial disputes, so I think activity levels will be enhanced.

 

 

 

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