Gordon Turner - Employment Law Solicitor
“Gordon’s unique selling point is that some of his ideas seem a bit odd at the time but tend to work”-Chris Milsom, barrister, Cloisters Chambers
The Law Society Gazette once ran a feature on me... ‘My legal life’ …charting my unorthodox rise… from Army Officer to my own sandwich round, working in kitchens, shops, pubs, fruit picking…the night shift at a biscuit factory, advising on housing rights at Shelter. I finally qualified as a solicitor in1993 when lawyers still used Dictaphones and trainees were ‘gophers.’
Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t go straight into Law because employment law is all about people. Working in other jobs gave me insight into what people really think and want. This is particularly helpful in employment law where the main aim is to get things settled. And there’s often a lot more at stake than just money.
I followed my dad into the Law. He qualified in 1959! As the son of a builder, Dad did it the hard way, five years' on the job training, and left me with fantastic pearls of wisdom… mainly about getting things done pronto and not mucking people about.
I’ve enjoyed a colourful career dealing with cases from across the entire spectrum. From time-to-time they've caught the Public's imagination. I’ve been invited to comment in the media on programmes such as Radio 4’s Law in Action, BBC1 Panorama and Radio 5 Donal McIntyre’s investigative show. Recently, I advised The Archers team on redundancy issues in an episode. The producer kindly sent me a complimentary mug.
I've also been a legal trainer and presenter for organisations including: Central Law Tutors, The Institute of Personnel Development, ACCA, The British Consul (Toronto), UKPID (New York and Boston) ...and The Law Society.
I’ve been involved in all sorts of serious disputes, but I really love it when people can create compromise... I have strong views about pointless conflict. My main objection is that it stops people getting on with their lives and it gets in the way of positive and creative thinking.
To find out more visit my Testimonials page. Or you can do a Google search on Employment Lawyers EC3.