Birmingham Law Society has confirmed the appointment of Matt O’Brien, Partner at Jonas Roy Bloom, as its new President for 2025–2026. He was formally sworn in at the Society’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 25th September 2025.
O’Brien, a specialist criminal law solicitor with over two decades of experience, will lead the 200-year-old organisation through the next 12 months with a focus on celebrating Birmingham’s hidden gems.
His Presidential year will highlight the talent, creativity and excellence within the region’s legal profession and wider community – often overlooked but integral to the city’s identity.
Presidential Vision
Matt O’Brien said:
“It is a huge honour to take on the role of President of Birmingham Law Society. This Society has been at the heart of our city’s legal and civic life for over two centuries, and I am proud to continue that tradition.
My theme for the year is Birmingham as a city of hidden gems – shining a light on the people, organisations and ideas that make our legal community so special, but which don’t always get the recognition they deserve. From our biggest institutions to the individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes, I want to celebrate those contributions and ensure they are seen, valued and shared across the city and beyond.
This year will be about service, about supporting our members, and about making sure every voice has the chance to be heard.”
O’Brien also added:
“What excites me most is the opportunity to connect people. Too often, we work in silos. My hope is that this year, whether through new initiatives or simply stronger conversations, we will break down barriers and remind ourselves that our greatest strength is in our collective energy, talent and generosity.”
A Year of New Initiatives
O’Brien has already announced a number of initiatives planned for his Presidency, including:
BLS Family Fun Day (Summer 2026): A festival-style event for members and their families, designed to foster inclusivity and community.
Senior Legal Leaders’ Lunches: Revitalised fine-dining forums for senior lawyers and executives, creating meaningful dialogue and stronger business connections.
BLS Hallmark of Excellence: A new digital badge to be awarded to shortlisted candidates at the annual Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards.
Ambassador Scheme Relaunch: A streamlined programme enabling members to help shape the Society’s future direction and priorities.
Charity Partnership with Birmingham Mind: Supporting mental health awareness and fundraising initiatives, including the upcoming Mental Elf Fun Run on 30th November 2025.
O’Brien succeeds Richard Port MBE, who led the Society during 2024–2025.
Full Transcript of Matt O’Brien Q&A
Every incoming BLS President chooses a theme for their year. You’ve chosen “Birmingham as a city of hidden gems.” What does this theme mean to you, and why did you choose it for your presidency?
I’ve lived in Birmingham for more than twenty years now, and one thing that has always struck me is how often people — myself included — stumble across something brilliant almost by accident. It might be a beautiful old building, a restaurant doing something really special, a community project, or someone making a difference quietly behind the scenes. Brummies don’t always shout about their achievements, which is part of the city’s charm, but it does mean that so many of our best features stay hidden unless someone points them out to you.
I think our legal community is very similar. We’re absolutely overflowing with talent, creativity, and excellence, but too often it isn’t recognised or celebrated. So, for me, “hidden gems” is about shining a light on those people, those ideas, and those achievements — whether that’s within law or in the wider community — and giving them the recognition they deserve. It’s also about saying to our members: we see you, we value you, and we want to share your successes with the wider world.
What kind of President do you envision yourself being for the Society? For example, how would you describe your leadership style or the approach you plan to take in serving and representing BLS members?
I see myself as both an advocate and an ambassador. Advocacy is at the heart of what I do as a criminal lawyer — but advocacy isn’t about your own voice, it’s about carrying the voice of your client. And I see this role in the same way: I’m here to represent the members of BLS, to make sure their voices are heard.
In terms of leadership style, I’m collaborative. I like to bring people together, to leave space for others to speak, and to make sure people feel ownership of what we do. At the same time, I’m very outcome-focused — it’s not just about listening politely, it’s about making sure something actually happens as a result. So I hope members will see me as approachable, as someone who genuinely wants to listen, but also as someone who will act on what they hear.
You’ve outlined several goals and new initiatives for your year – from a Family Fun Day in summer 2026 to reinvigorating the Senior Legal Leaders’ Lunches, and introducing a Hallmark of Excellence for award nominees. What are the main goals you’ve set for your 12-month term, and what do you hope to achieve with these initiatives?
The key for me has been to narrow the focus to a few things that I think will make a real difference.
The Family Fun Day is probably the one I’m most excited about. It will be a festival-style event in summer 2026 — music, food, entertainment for all ages. And it’s designed to include members who often miss out: those with children or caring responsibilities, or those who don’t see a black-tie dinner as the right fit for them. Our membership is so diverse, at different stages and in different types of practice, and I think we need to reflect that better.
Then there’s the Senior Legal Leaders’ Lunch. In the past, senior lawyers were right at the heart of BLS — but over time, that link has weakened. I want to rebuild that sense of community at the top of the profession. Tailored events for senior and managing partners will give them space to reconnect, to share challenges, and to help shape the future of the Society.
And finally, the Ambassador Scheme and the Hallmark of Excellence. The Ambassador Scheme is a straightforward but powerful way for members to have their voices heard and shape our priorities. And the Hallmark of Excellence recognises that if you’ve been shortlisted for our Legal Awards, you’ve already achieved something exceptional. It’s about celebrating that excellence more visibly and giving people something lasting to take away.
Your career has been in criminal law, advocating for people at moments when their liberty is at stake. How has that experience – working with clients who often face serious disadvantages – shaped your perspective and priorities as President of BLS?
My whole career has been spent in the criminal justice system, representing people at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. That gives you perspective. It teaches you not to make assumptions, to really listen, and to understand how much fairness matters.
It’s also made me acutely aware of the importance of mental health. A huge number of the people who end up in the criminal courts are there because of untreated or undiagnosed conditions. If they’d had earlier support, their lives might have gone very differently. That awareness really feeds into my priorities for this year.
And finally, criminal law teaches you resilience and humour. You deal with very serious issues, but you also learn to carry that weight lightly. As President, I think that combination — seriousness of purpose, but also the ability to keep perspective — is essential.
Mental health is a cause close to your heart, and you’ve chosen Birmingham Mind as the Society’s charity partner for the year. What are some initiatives you have planned in collaboration with this charity, and why is supporting mental health important to you and the legal profession?
Mental health is something I care about very deeply. Like many in our profession, I’ve seen first-hand the toll our work can take. Lawyers are often under pressure to maintain a façade of resilience, even when they’re struggling. That stigma makes it harder to ask for help.
Partnering with Birmingham Mind felt like the right choice because their work makes a direct, local impact — every penny raised is spent here in Birmingham. Over the year, we’ll support them through fundraising events, including their Mental Elf run in November, and through creative initiatives that tap into the talents of our members. For me, it’s not only about raising money but also about raising awareness and breaking down stigma.
Richard Port MBE has had a fantastic year before you. As you take over the reins, how do you plan to build on the momentum of Richard’s presidency? Is there anything you’d like to say or acknowledge to Richard as you begin your term?
Richard has done an outstanding job. He’s led with real energy and authenticity, and he’s shown that you can approach the presidency in new ways and still be highly successful. He’s also been very generous with his support and advice to me personally, which I hugely appreciate.
I want to build on that momentum by keeping the focus on community and connection, while also bringing in my own theme of hidden gems. So, it’s about continuity — building on the strong foundations Richard has laid — but also about bringing in fresh initiatives that reflect my vision for the year. And yes, while I may not be brave enough to follow him in the gold Converse, I’ll try to bring my own style to the role.
Looking ahead to the end of your term, what do you hope your legacy will be? In other words, what impact do you want your efforts to have – both within Birmingham Law Society and in the wider community – by the time your presidency comes to a close?
When my year ends, I’d like to be able to say that we’ve launched the Family Fun Day and set it on the path to becoming a regular fixture. I’d like to see senior lawyers re-engaged with BLS, through lunches and tailored events that feel relevant to them. And I’d like members to feel their voices are being heard more clearly, through the Ambassador Scheme.
For me, legacy is about continuity as much as change. I don’t see this as “my” year, but as one link in a long chain of presidents stretching back over 200 years. The true legacy is leaving the Society in a stronger place for those who come after me.
Your theme highlights the “hidden gems” in the legal community – the talented people and quiet initiatives that often go unnoticed. Why is it important to you to shine a light on those who might otherwise go unheard, and could you share an example of an inspiring “hidden gem” you’ve encountered that embodies this idea?
For me, the best example of hidden gems within BLS is our committees. They’re packed with expertise, with people giving up their time voluntarily to shape policy, respond to consultations, and put on events. They are the engine room of the Society, but much of that work happens out of sight. I want to give them more visibility, to celebrate the contributions they make, because that’s where our real strength lies — in our people.
In the wider community, I think we as lawyers have a duty to uplift and promote the businesses and initiatives around us. One example I love is Tom Cullen’s I Choose Birmingham newsletter, which highlights hidden gems from across the city every week. It’s the same spirit — celebrating what’s already here, just waiting to be noticed. That’s what I want to do with BLS this year. I don’t have a business relationship with him – money has not changed hands! – but I love what he’s doing and we very much come from the same place in terms of highlighting what a wonderful place Birmingham is.
How can Birmingham Law Society members get involved and contribute to your vision? For instance, what can members do to support the Society’s efforts – whether it’s engaging with the new events, supporting vulnerable groups through charity initiatives, or otherwise amplifying the positive work happening in our community?
The simplest way is to show up, to engage, and to share your ideas. Come along to events, bring your families to the Fun Day, nominate your colleagues for the Legal Awards, take part in fundraising. But also, don’t underestimate the value of feedback. Tell us what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d like to see more of.
If you can, join a committee or make sure your firm has a BLS ambassador. But even if you don’t have much time, just being part of the conversation matters. This Society only works if it reflects the needs of its members — and that depends on members making their voices heard.
At a time when the profession is focused on nurturing the next generation, how can BLS better support aspiring lawyers – especially students or young professionals from diverse backgrounds – in pursuing and developing their legal careers?
Supporting the next generation is absolutely vital. Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and it’s essential that our profession reflects that. That means creating opportunities for students and junior lawyers to connect, to be mentored, and to feel welcome from the very start.
It also means showing them that there are many different routes into law. I say that as someone who came from a very modest, rural background, the first in my family to go into law, and who studied for their professional exams at night school while working. There isn’t one “right” path. I want every young lawyer to feel that BLS is their Society too — a place where they belong, where they can grow, and where their future is supported.