Meet the Boss Johanne Spittle – Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Johanne Spittle is the Head of Dispute Resolution. She graduated in law from the University of Sheffield in 1983 and became a solicitor in 1986. She has lived in North Yorkshire since 1990 joining the firm in 2019.

What job would you like to have other than your own?

I am fascinated by the property related disputes that I deal with, particularly having to piece together what happened to land hundreds of years ago; it is a bit like having to solve a historical whodunit and so maybe in another life I would be a historical detective or a crime writer!  

Greatest achievement?

Combining being a partner in a law firm with three children and retaining a sense of humour was definitely an achievement. But most recently it was sitting and passing an exam in agricultural law to become a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association!

What makes you angry?

Injustice makes me angry. Everybody deserves equal access to justice and to be able to live in a fair and equal society without fear of persecution or discrimination.

Biggest mistake

I was once asked if I was interested in being an endorsed candidate for a European seat. I regret not having taken the opportunity to become an MEP as I think it would have been an amazing experience and one which is now unlikely to come my way again!  

What would make life complete?

I think my life is about as complete as it can be! However I would be extremely happy to see my two eldest children home from the other side of the world in the foreseeable future. 

Why do you make a difference?

I have always been passionate about trying to help people whether that is as a lawyer or in one of the other roles that I have undertaken over the years. I always endeavour to give my clients commercial and practical advice and to give the very best service possible.

Epitaph

“I knew if I waited around long enough something like this would happen” (courtesy of George Bernard Shaw).