Jamie Hanley is the partner-in-charge of the London office of US firm Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP, and a litigator with a particular interest in ESG. He shares a day in his working life with The Brief

I’m writing this “Day in the Life” reflection at the end of a packed but thoroughly rewarding week – one that took me from The Belfry (not for golf, but for the LGPS Pooling Symposium) to London, Bristol, and Edinburgh, meeting with institutional investor clients. I’m also in the midst of preparing for upcoming trips to see clients in Germany and the US. It’s been a whirlwind – but the kind that energises rather than drains.

Mornings

One of the things I appreciate most about my role is that no two days are ever quite the same. Today, like most, started early—with a strong coffee (or three) and my usual podcast lineup: The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, and The Square Ball, the latter being a fan-made podcast about the greatest football team in the world, Leeds United (and I won’t hear otherwise).

Given that most of my colleagues are based in the US, my mornings are typically quieter on the call front. I use that time to get ahead of emails and catch up on messages that have come in overnight.

I’m admittedly obsessive about staying on top of my inbox – an overflowing email folder stresses me out more than I care to admit.

Meetings

My first meetings today were with the national pensions officer of a major UK trade union, followed by a group of councillors who serve on a local pension board. We spoke about the importance of having a team like ours to monitor fund portfolios, identify when losses have occurred, assess ESG (environmental, social and governance) implications, and provide options for recovery.

My first meetings today were with the national pensions officer of a major UK trade union, followed by a group of councillors who serve on a local pension board.

I always enjoy speaking with those who understand the powerful role Local Authority Pension Funds can play in influencing corporate behaviour for the better.

Seeking accountability

Having spent the past 29 years as a lawyer focused on combating corporate wrongdoing, and advocating for clients who value ESG principles, I feel extremely fortunate to work at a firm that’s at the forefront of representing institutional investors. Our clients often suffer losses through no fault of their own, due to fraud, misconduct, or severe governance failures, and it’s our job to help them seek accountability.

I’m continually inspired by the tenacity and skill of my colleagues, many of whom dedicate their careers to recovering funds on behalf of hardworking pensioners who rely on modest retirement incomes after a lifetime of service. When those pensions are harmed, I find it deeply gratifying to help even the scales.

High profile cases

Some of our cases stem from tragic circumstances. One that’s very much on my radar at the moment involves a major lawsuit against Boeing which alleges longstanding safety failings, including a door that detached mid-flight, resulting in loss of life.

The case, which has the potential for billions of dollars in recoveries, is heading toward trial next year. This afternoon, over a quick sandwich, I met with a member of Parliament to discuss the UK Stewardship Code and how institutional investors can drive meaningful change through proactive engagement.

One case involves a major lawsuit against Boeing which alleges longstanding safety failings resulting in loss of life.

Naturally, we touched on Boeing, which has become a focal point for investors concerned about safety, governance, and accountability.

Creating engaging training

Later in the afternoon, I turned my attention to a presentation I’m preparing for a group of professional trustees. I genuinely enjoy delivering training, and I’m always determined to avoid the dreaded "death by PowerPoint".

 Having endured more CPD sessions than I care to count over the years, I make a point of creating content that is both informative and engaging – ideally, even a bit enjoyable.

Checking data

Following that, I had a call with the custodian bank of one of our clients to facilitate data sharing for a loss analysis currently underway in New York. Initial numbers suggest the client’s losses could be substantial – potentially eight figures – so it’s critical that we’re working from the most up-to-date and accurate data available.

These early stages of a case are always a blend of diligence, precision and a bit of detective work.

Finishing up the day

Before wrapping up the day, I joined a Teams call with several of my US-based partners. One of the hazards of working from the UK is that I’m often the lone face on a boardroom screen, while the rest of the team sits together stateside.

The result? My face ends up looking disproportionately large and rather awkward on the screen – something I’ve yet to get used to!

To round out the day, I headed out for drinks with a client. We swiftly dealt with the business at hand and then spent a relaxing hour in the sun chatting about football and watching the world go by.

It was a perfect transition from a fast-paced day to a gentler evening.

GoodNotes on my iPad has been a game changer – simple, intuitive, and surprisingly satisfying.

Before calling it a night, I returned to the office for one last scan of my to-do list. I’ve recently made the shift to going paper-free, and although I was initially hesitant, I’m now a convert thanks to GoodNotes on my iPad.

For someone who still considers themselves something of a technophobe, I can honestly say it’s been a game changer – simple, intuitive, and surprisingly satisfying.

As I walked back to my hotel, I had a quick call with my colleague Guillaume, who’s based in our New York office but often works with me to support our UK clients. We like to touch base at the end of the day when our time zones briefly align.

Just before we hung up, he sent me a photo of his young son proudly wearing a Leeds United kit.

And with that, I felt reassured that—whatever else may be going on—I’m clearly doing something right by spreading the good word of the mighty LUFC.

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