For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Marie Dancer, and I am the Managing Partner at Richard Nelson LLP. I wish to start by thanking Richard Nelson, who has encouraged me for many years to participate in the Nottinghamshire Law Society.
It is an absolute honor to take over from Lauren Crow as the Nottinghamshire Law Society President, who has done a fantastic job this last year. It is particularly humbling to be the President during our 150th year.
If you had told me years ago that I’d one day, be standing here as President of the Nottinghamshire Law Society, I’d have laughed. Not a polite chuckle, a full, ‘you’ve got the wrong person,’ laugh.
My first experience with Nottinghamshire Law Society, which I hasten to add, was over 20 years ago, and many years before Michelle was involved, was interesting. At my first council meeting I was laughed at for siting in the wrong chair a couple of times, until I asked whereabouts I should sit. I was once also told not to offer an opinion. Also, I could not understand the stuffiness of referring to the President at the time as ‘Mr President’ during council meetings and wondered if I had someone managed to slip into a parallel universe into the oval office!
I am not looking to be critical of the past. That was just the culture at the time. Since then, society as a whole has moved on and quite rightly so has the Nottinghamshire Law Society. It is also okay to recognise where we have come from, especially if we want to appreciate how far we have come.
Today, the Nottinghamshire Law Society is a thriving, modern, inclusive, and active community. This is due to the amazing work of those who came before me, including our Past Presidents, and of course, Michelle, whose support has transformed how this Society runs.
When you tell people that you are about to be the President of the Nottinghamshire Law Society, you usually get two kinds of reactions:
- From my kids: “why are you taking on extra work for no extra pay?” and ‘Does that mean I still have to go to school?’
- From friends: “Will you be able to cancel my parking tickets?”
Sadly, I can’t promise either. However, what I can do is help support something meaningful. I’m incredibly proud to introduce The Wolfpack Project (https://thewolfpackproject.org.uk) as our charity for the year. Representatives from the Wolf Pack Project, Jennine Fox and Richard Flewitt, are here tonight. I am sure they will be happy to chat to you over drinks later about the great work that they do.
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The Wolfpack Project is a Nottingham based youth organisation, who are dedicated to reducing loneliness and isolation, and promoting positive mental health for young people aged 16 to 35. They provide space for young people to be themselves, to thrive and to find their own community. They offer one-to-one support, run group sessions, and help build real communities for people who otherwise would feel isolated or left behind. They also offer mental health first aid training.
As a profession, we have many young lawyers in Nottingham who will have moved here for their training contract or their newly qualified post and I am conscious that some may fall into the category of feeling lonely and or isolated.
The Wolfpack Project embody the kind of values I want to promote as President: connection, belonging, and support.
So, what do I want to achieve in my year as President?
My goal is to ensure that members feel that the Nottinghamshire Law Society is place where:
- Every member is welcome.
- Every member has a voice.
- And every member feels like they belong.
I want it to be the kind of community where someone can walk into an event not knowing a soul, and walk out having made a few connections and maybe even a friend.
To assist with this objective, we will be introducing some informal, relaxed get togethers this year. These will be simple events, designed for people to come alone if they would like to. At these events there will be no pressure, no speeches from me! Just a chance to connect and enjoy being part of our legal community. The sort of thing I’m thinking about includes;
- A game of crazy golf,
- A drink after work,
- A round of bowling,
If you attend a Nottinghamshire Law Society event and you feel like you are on your own, please come find me, or Michelle, or another member of Council. We will introduce you to people, have a chat, and make sure you feel included.
My simple promise to you as President this year is that I will do my best to try and leave the Nottinghamshire Law Society in the same, or better shape than I found it.
Unfortunately, I can’t promise to still be here for the 300th year anniversary, although I’ll do my best! I may make the 200th year anniversary, although I cannot promise what shape I will be in by then!
Thank you.
Marie Dancer
President 2025-2026