Satish Jakhu is Managing Director and Head of Dispute Resolution at the Birmingham firm RLK Solicitors. He shares his daily routine with The Brief.

My morning starts, without exception, early in the gym and is the only controllable part of my day. It’s part routine, part discipline and part headspace. It gives me time to focus, reset and prepare for what’s usually a fast-moving and demanding day.

In this line of work documents can be served at 5.00pm and extremely close to deadlines, so evening plans can change in an instant. For me, looking after yourself physically is closely linked to performing well professionally, particularly in litigation where clarity, resilience and stamina matter.

I believe in showing up properly. That includes taking pride in how I present myself and supporting local businesses where I can, whether that’s art, tailoring, hair, wine or independent retailers.

Looking after yourself physically is closely linked to performing well professionally, particularly in litigation where clarity, resilience and stamina matter

Birmingham has a strong creative and business community, and I think it’s important to invest in the place we work, rather than just pass through it – a mantra I believe in setting as a standard for the rest of the staff members at RLK to follow.

Once I’m in the office, the pace picks up quickly. As Managing Director, I’m thinking about the firm as a whole: how we’re performing, how our people are doing and what decisions need to be made to keep us moving forward.

Alongside that, as Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution, I remain closely involved in complex, high-stake disputes. A large part of my role is strategic, advising clients on risk, shaping arguments and helping them navigate difficult situations with confidence.

Strong relationships

Relationships sit at the centre of everything I do. Litigation is serious work, but it doesn’t have to be joyless.

I have a good sense of humour and I think that matters. It helps to build trust, keeps perspective and makes even the most pressured situations easier to manage.

Litigation is serious work, but it doesn’t have to be joyless.

Strong relationships lead to better conversations, better collaboration and, ultimately, better outcomes. Relationships in industries such as ours can be contentious at times, so it’s important to hone and improve upon the ability to manage and support bonds with others constructively and with a balanced approach.

Networking

I spend a significant amount of time building relationships beyond the office. I’m very often at an event, whether that’s one of our own, a business networking event, a round table or something hosted by another organisation.

For me, networking isn’t about selling, it’s about listening, understanding what people do and finding ways to connect the right people together. Making introductions, opening doors and helping others build meaningful connections is something I genuinely enjoy and see as part of my role at RLK; it is something I encourage others in the firm to also spend time on.

Those external relationships feed directly back into the firm. They strengthen our reputation, create opportunities for collaboration and ensure RLK remains visible, trusted and well connected within the business community. Many of our strongest client relationships have grown from those conversations over time rather than from formal pitches.

Support and challenge

Supporting the team internally is just as important, and is part of the reason behind launching the RLK Academy to encourage staff of all levels to guide and mentor paralegals. I’m particularly passionate about developing junior lawyers, making sure they understand not just what we’re doing, but why we’re doing it.

I actively encourage discussion, questions and debate. Talking through cases, tactics and decisions is one of the most effective ways to build confidence and deepen legal understanding.

Passing on experience isn’t about instruction for the sake of it. It’s about sharing context, imparting judgment and helping people think critically.

Talking through cases, tactics and decisions is one of the most effective ways to build confidence and deepen legal understanding.

Litigation is learned through experience, but it’s refined through conversation. I want everyone at RLK to feel supported, challenged and genuinely invested in their development to help grow and evolve the firm together.

Considered growth

Alongside client work and mentoring, there’s the broader leadership side of the role. That includes recruitment, business development and planning for growth.

We’re entrepreneurial by nature, but we’re also careful about how we grow. It’s important to me that RLK continues to develop in a way that reflects our values and remains a place where people want to build long-term careers.

Lunch is rarely a formal break. It’s often spent in meetings, calls or informal catch-ups.

Those moments matter. Many of the strongest relationships I’ve built, both professionally and personally, have come from regular, honest conversations rather than structured meetings.

Taking stock

As the week comes to an end, I try to take stock. Litigation can be reactive, so making time to reflect is important. I think about what’s gone well, where we can improve, and how we continue to support the team while delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Many of the strongest relationships I’ve built, both professionally and personally, have come from regular, honest conversations rather than structured meetings.

I try to spend any quieter periods or less busy seasons reflecting and strategising for the future.

What motivates me most is seeing people succeed, both clients and staff. That might be a client resolving a dispute at a critical moment, or a junior team member growing in confidence and capability.

RLK’s values have remained the same since I set up the firm more than 20 years ago: being genuine, relentless, innovative and transparent.

These are not just words. They guide how I work, how I lead and how I build relationships every day.

That’s a typical day for me, if there is such a thing.

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RLK Solicitors

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