INTERVIEW: AT HOME WITH GUY BARNETT: THE MAN BEHIND THE BIRMINGHAM LAW SOCIETY PRESIDENTIAL CHAIN

Four decades in law. Twenty years in the Army Reserve. And now the presidency of Birmingham Law Society. At home with Guy Barnett, surrounded by his remarkable collection of military memorabilia and intricately detailed miniature battle scenes, we discover a man determined to give the profession a stronger voice, bring its generations closer together and make sure there is some fun along the way.

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For Guy Barnett, becoming President of Birmingham Law Society is both unfinished business and an opportunity to give something back to a profession that has shaped much of his life.

“I’m the product of 40 years in the legal profession and 20 in the Army Reserve, and those two aspects of my life have shaped me in everything I deal with,” he says.

“I’m very proud to be a solicitor, and I’m very proud to have been a member of the British Army.”

But there is another side to the new President which quickly emerges as we talk at his home, says Kevin Fraser Urquhart.

“When you get to really know me, you’ll realise I will be a President who likes to have fun,” he says. “The great thing about Birmingham Law Society is having fun activities and also making friends.”

What did it feel like putting on the presidential chain for the first time?
“It was a very serious moment. It’s a privilege, it’s an honour, but you do feel the weight of the chain, and not just the weight, it’s the responsibility.

“You realise that you’re the custodian of a position that’s been held by a lot of very special people over 200 years, and that you’re just a small part in it. You’ve got to put your game face on and be a good ambassador for the Society and the profession.”

Barnett could have taken the role much earlier, so why become President now?
“I had the opportunity to become President 20 years ago,” he explains. “I was invited to apply and I declined it, and I’ve always regretted that decision.”

After spending five years working in Dubai, he returned to Birmingham, rejoined the Society and became increasingly involved, including serving on its board and, more recently, as interim chief executive.

“The real motivator is to come back to the city and make a difference in the profession.”

How different is law today from the profession you entered?
“Almost unrecognisable,” he says.

His first desk had no computer or mobile phone, just paperwork, a secretary and an ashtray: smoking in the office was still permitted.

“Technology has transformed that world, but not entirely without cost. You’d work hard all day, but at five o’clock you did have the evening and you did have the weekend. Now everything’s very instant. Clients demand an instant response and are more sophisticated and more commercial. So, there’s a lot more pressure on solicitors.”

Your presidential mandate is ‘One Profession. One Region. One Voice.’ What does that mean? For Barnett, the final word may be the most important.

“Our members really do want the Society to voice their opinion both regionally, nationally and internationally,” he says. “It’s finding how to be an effective voice for the membership which is important.”

That membership spans students and trainees through to senior partners, sole practitioners, barristers, in-house lawyers and international firms.

“Their day-to-day interests are different, but I think as lawyers we recognise that as a profession we all have our place.”

And that voice, he insists, cannot simply be loud. It has to be focused.

“Talk’s cheap. What we’ve got to do is pick our battles and action them for the membership.”

What are members most concerned about? Regulation is high on the list.

Barnett cites proposals affecting the way firms hold client money and retain interest as an example where seemingly technical changes could have far wider consequences.
“It’s not about fat cat lawyers making more money,” he says. “A lot of firms need that income stream to maintain their business. Without it, firms could close, jobs could be lost and ultimately the consumer could suffer.”

His ambition is for BLS to become more confident in intervening on issues that matter.
“It means shouting about the right things, not all the things, but being really prominent on the real issues for the membership.”

You have talked about providing a ‘steady hand.’ Does that mean resisting change?
Quite the opposite.

“Change doesn’t have to create instability if it’s brought about in the correct way,” he says.

Birmingham Law Society has recently appointed a new chief executive, Calum Nisbet. Having served as interim CEO from December 2025 to September 2026, Barnett brings an operational perspective to the presidency.

“I’m very sympathetic and supportive of the things that he needs to do to bring change. Calum will be bringing the change on the operational side. That’s his domain. I will be looking to advance Council. Change doesn’t have to create instability if it’s brought about in the correct way.”

There are encouraging signs. After just one person applied for four Council vacancies last year (2025), 28 people expressed an interest this time around.

“We’ve gained momentum and the membership seems to have become more interested. What we’ve got to do now is keep that enthusiasm going.”

What does Birmingham Law Society offer lawyers who aren’t currently involved?
“An opportunity to re-engage with the profession,” Barnett says.

“If you’re a sole practitioner, it can be very lonely. Being a Law Society member enables you to network with fellow professionals and expand your personal network.”

The newly established Junior Lawyers Division and Managing Partners Forum are central to that ambition, connecting emerging talent with experienced leaders through mentoring and shared opportunities.

And then, there’s the fun stuff.

The planned Golden Paperclip Challenge will pair ten junior lawyers with senior legal or business mentors. Each will receive a golden paperclip made in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with six months to trade it up to raise funds for Carter the Brave, which supports Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

LAWSTOCK – another one of Barnett’s ideas – a planned family-friendly outdoor music festival, will bring lawyers, colleagues, families and friends together for music and fun, reaching members who may never attend a black-tie dinner. Barnett will also climb Kilimanjaro in January 2027 for Carter the Brave.

Does Birmingham still undersell itself against London?
“It did. Does it now?” he ponders.

“We know that we’ve got some of the best lawyers doing some fantastic work in the region, and that is becoming more and more recognised. We need to shout about that.”

His revived Advised in Birmingham initiative will promote the city and region nationally and internationally. “We need to make sure businesses in the region are using us and don’t feel there’s a better legal centre in London, because there isn’t.

“We’re here, we’re open for business; pricing in Birmingham is more competitive than London, and we can deliver as good, if not a better, service.”

And what about AI?
Barnett, who sits on the Society’s Legal Tech Committee, describes artificial intelligence as both an opportunity and a disruption.

“It’s meant to be a disruptor. It’s affecting every aspect of society, like it or not.”

His concern is not simply whether AI replaces junior legal work, but how future lawyers gain the judgement that traditionally came from doing it.

“AI gets you somewhere very quickly. What it does mean is that senior lawyers need to have the relationship with junior lawyers to give them the people skills and the judgement skills. AI doesn’t give you experience.”

What will success look like when you hand over the chain? Barnett wants a programme that lasts beyond his presidential year.

“I want to focus on doing a few things well,” he says.

That means a stronger Council, closer links between generations and a more effective regional voice.

“The real legacy is making sure I’ve got a foundation for Sabina Kauser (who’ll take over from Barnett in Autumn 2027) to build on, and then for Sam Ingram to build on.”

Back at home, among his impressive collection of military memorabilia and miniature battle scenes, it is clear Barnett has a passion for history. But as Birmingham Law Society’s new President, he is more interested in shaping its future.

And making sure its members have some fun along the way.