“I get to meet really interesting people and most importantly I get to recruit creative lawyers and stay with them as a colleague.”
Liz Smith
Describe your role and general skill set…
My role is to attract talent to our group. I do this by networking, headhunting, coaching and generally raising my profile.
What do you enjoy about your job?
So many elements of my role are enjoyable. It plays to my strengths. I have autonomy to get on with my job. I work hard to build trust within the legal community. I’m a big ambassador and vocal. I get to meet really interesting people and most importantly I get to recruit creative lawyers and stay with them as a colleague.
What attracted you to the firm?
Michael Burne. His passion, vision, drive and determination to change the industry. That was too compelling for me, I had to join him!
Describe Carbon in a maximum of three words:
Collaborative, intelligent, supportive.
Where do you envisage the firm in 5 years’ time?
Larger, stronger, more impactful, and training more juniors.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
My first job was a carer in an elderly care home. I absolutely loved it. I worked there for 4yrs (14-18yrs). It taught me how fragile life is, how I deal with responsibility (I had zipped up a few body bags before I was 17), and how rewarding it is to me to be kind to others. Before I retire, I intend to return and work in elderly care as a volunteer.
What have been the highlights of your career to date?
Running a successful headhunting business that I built from scratch – no clients, no candidates, no database, just a phone and a laptop. I managed that for over 20yrs. I’m now utilising all that experience to grow Carbon.
How do you unwind outside of work?
I love nature. I live by the coast and enjoy coastal walks, being by, in and on the sea. I like keeping fit and exercise regularly.
Where is your favourite place to visit?
Bristol – to see my youngest daughter and London – to visit my eldest daughter.
What is your favourite Book, movie or TV Show?
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks & Pulp Fiction.
Favourite Music, Artist or Band?
Smashing Pumpkins.
If you could gain a new skill or superpower, what would you choose?
The ability to not have tired legs and sore knees after a run!
Do you have a bucket list place you’d love to visit?
No, I live there. I’m not a big traveller. I can take or leave it.
If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?
1920’s, I adore that era, the style, the dancing, the wonderful time of hope after the 1st war.
Tell us an interesting or little-known fact about yourself:
I played rugby for 3 seasons, I was dreadful, but the tours were great!
