In our ‘get to know’ series, we introduce some of the people that make up Stephens Scown. We learn about their expertise, what drew them to join the legal profession and find out a little bit about who they are outside of work.
Here we introduce Aimee Barrable, partner in our Commercial Real Estate team.
Can you share with us a little bit about your role and a typical day?
Our border terriers, Charlie and Ruby, generally wake me up earlier than is entirely desirable (largely dependent on how hungry they are) expecting that I tend to their every morning need before I either enjoy a scenic train ride along the coast and up the River Exe to the office, or endure the lengthy commute across the landing to the spare room, to begin my actual day job. My role is to provide sound commercial advice to property owners and occupiers navigating the legalities surrounding leases and freehold sales and acquisitions. A typical day can involve negotiating property documentation for those for whom property is the crux of their business – typically multi-site occupiers, such as shops – or assisting others where owning or leasing property is a bit of a necessary evil! I may spend time working with other teams across the firm in providing advice connected to the sale or purchase of a business– what we generally call “corporate support” but without a scarf or pompom in sight. Inevitably the day involves coffee (as an aside, I have recently been trying out the (potentially entirely placebo effect) “adaptogenic” coffees)
Why did you choose to specialise in Commercial Real Estate?
Like many colleagues, I sort of fell into it as being the preferred area of the four I’d covered as a trainee, and, at the time, there was a chance it would involve a lot of colouring in of plans and so on which would scratch my creative itch. I didn’t grow up thinking that dealing with property transactions involving offices, shops and industrial units would be my “calling” – despite being quite set on becoming a lawyer since middle school – but here I am, slaying it (as they say).
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
As the work I do centres on a tangible thing – the commercial property itself – there is a sense of satisfaction in knowing that you’ve facilitated a client being physically able to take access and begin life in their new business “home” or the latest store in their portfolio, often under pressured timescales. Of course, at the opposite end of the scale, I have other clients who are delighted to be released from the liabilities connected with a lease of property they no longer have a use for, or to receive the financial reward of a successful sale. I think my favourite thing is being told that I’m not like other lawyers – which I believe is a compliment and a nod to the fact that I’ve made dealing with the legal complexities as pain-free as possible and haven’t sought to show how clever I am, instead opting to keep it simple and just get the job done. I’m also really funny.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be and why?
Probably less stressed, but where’s the fun in that? I wanted to design wallpaper and material having become slightly obsessed with graphics, design and screen-printing during Art at school. I do still get quite excited about branding, pleasing sock designs and clever photography, and my “craft” cupboard is stocked in readiness for that career change (which will happen around the same time as I win an Omaze house or the Postcode Lottery). A stand-up comedian, sitcom writer or actress/singer also feature in the possibilities.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I live by the sea, so spend a lot of time at the beach, mostly walking with my aforementioned (so lawyerly) furry masters, one of whom has a tennis ball obsession but isn’t as fast as he used to be and needs a carry up the hill, and the other whose colouring blends perfectly with the shade of the sand, which produces moments of panic. While walking, there is much consideration given to actually getting into the sea more often, a favourite pastime of many Scowner friends – well it’s the thought that counts, right?
What does it mean to work for Stephens Scown, what makes us different?
Everyone answers this by mentioning our employee ownership, being B Corp, securing awards for being a Sunday Times “best place to work” and our location in the beautiful south west. All that jazz is great but, not unlike other workplaces, ultimately it comes down to the people I work with on a day-to-day basis and the quality of the coffee available for consumption on the premises, though I suspect there are more photos of us with “grabbers” during a beach clean than of many other firms which may be a key differentiating factor along with the other firms not having an entertaining Commercial Real Estate partner (poor things).