Robin Hall is the non-executive chairman of ORJ Law and he's been in his position for almost two years.
IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE? The role is more operational than a traditional chairman, so I find myself getting involved in the financial management of the firm and also dashboard reviews with key fee earners.
HOW IS YOUR JOB IMPACTED BY FLUCTUATIONS IN THE ECONOMY? Forecasting and credit control are important and the economy also has an impact on numerous areas of our legal services, including family, litigation and the sale of houses. It’s all interlinked.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT FOR YOUR JOB? Sadly, it’s been a period of uncertainty and talking down the economy - this is not good for business.
HOW DO YOU VIEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – AND HOW MIGHT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS USE IT? Personally, I use it every day. The impact on law will be huge where repetitive tasks are common. It will change many, many things. Litigation is different because you need a human to think creatively about the angles or arguments. I can’t see that ever being replaced by AI. 
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? Friendly, approachable and balanced.
YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH IN THE WORKPLACE? Ability to listen rationally.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR JOB? Recruitment and retention is difficult - jobs in law are easily transferable so to keep the right people you need to make sure to offer good flexibility and a high level of autonomy.
YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS? 30 years of marriage and children. Transitioning from a 32 year career in corporate engineering to law and, more recently, becoming a county councillor in Staffordshire.
PET HATES? Tardiness. I feel like it’s thoughtless. If you can’t be on time, be early.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Join the Forces for a while - it’s my only regret. I would’ve joined The Navy.
HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I play tennis and table tennis competitively and we travel a lot. I feel privileged to have visited 50 countries for business and pleasure. Not many people get to do that.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SHROPSHIRE? I feel like it’s an undiscovered county. The countryside is spectacular - I cycled from Staffordshire to Ludlow and back over three days through the countryside and it was divine.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OF CHOICE? Instagram
FAVOURITE MOVIE AND/OR TV SHOW? I heard a quote once that it’s not worth owning a TV unless you have watched The Sopranos. I agree and had the good fortune to go on a tour of the sets in December 2024.
EARLY BIRD, OR NIGHT OWL? Early bird - sadly I wake up too early.
DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? James Gandolfini and probably A.A. Gill would have been a good laugh, too.
WHAT WOULD YOU COOK FOR THEM? I’m not a bad cook and most people seem to enjoy my paella and katsu curry, so I would choose one of them.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. I’m probably more socially liberal than they would think.
AND FINALLY . . . WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HAS IN STORE FOR YOU, PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY? Personally, a 30-year anniversary trip to Malaysia and Thailand, visiting New York and getting to grips with my County Council role, which is quite unexpected, but I’m thoroughly delighted.
