Page 23 - PIC-Magazine-Issue23-Autumn-Winter-24

are primarily orientated to managerial ones with little or no clinical activity. By contrast the expert witness role fulfils an OT’s need for an additional challenge and really showcases their full skill set in the identification of the impact of a claimant’s disability upon their independence level, with particular reference to their needs
in respect of accommodation, driving adaptations, gardening, and facilitating a return to previously valued leisure activities and hobbies e.g. walking their dog or clay pigeon shooting. I do not regret moving into the expert witness role at all and just wish we had more OT’s doing it!
What aspects of the MD appointment are you looking forward to the most?
I have been with S&A for the majority of my career – so I am Somek to the core. Having been here for so long, I really have seen
the company grow from just a few staff and experts to where we are today, and naturally I too have contributed to this growth. I have worked alongside Alison Somek throughout my time, and we do share the same passion for ensuring the quality of the reports and services we provide, and for ensuring the integrity of the expert witness role. We
have the most fantastic staff and the most professional, dedicated and experienced experts who demonstrate a real loyalty
to Somek & Associates. Our staff and our associates are our greatest asset and I am looking forward to us all working together on some projects I have up my sleeve, to take Somek & Associates forward and to see how far we can go, particularly now we are part of the fantastic Frenkel Topping Group and have their support behind us.
I am also particularly interested to see where technology and Artificial Intelligence will take us, both clinically and in the expert witness field.
What do you think will be the
most challenging part of
becoming S&A's MD?
Undoubtedly, the most challenging aspect will be learning to step away from my current role as Head of Medico-Legal Operations, but my replacement Elias Omar is a Lawyer by background and therefore brings a
very different skill set and dynamic to our business, which is very exciting. Also not having Alison in the next door office to “run something by” will take some getting used to, although she promises she will always be happy to take a call from me! Naturally there will be other changes ahead, dictated by
the changing medico-legal landscape, but provided we always remain alert to them, we will do what Somek always does best – lead the way in adapting to them.
You've been with Somek & Associates pretty much since its conception, what achievements are you most proud of during that time?
Well, I would never be so bold as to attribute anything specifically as my singular achievement because so many of our achievements have been a team effort. Particular highlights have been:
Our reputation as being the leading and largest expert witness provider, offering a balanced portfolio of claimant and defendant instructions, and producing reports of only the very highest quality,
The growth and diversity we have achieved in respect of our expert base,
The establishment of an annual conference for our experts,
The development and refining of our report templates,
The relationships we have built and maintained with clients,
The adaptability and ‘can do attitude’ we are known for,
The development of our rigorous training and Quality Assurance programmes.
What are your values as a leader? How do you ensure these values are upheld by your employees?
The values I hold as a leader will actually mirror those I hold as an occupational therapy expert witness. These values are: openness, transparency, good communication, respect, compassion for others, good listening skills, adaptability, robustness of opinion, flexibility of mind-set, accompanied
by an ability to change direction if required, and all combined of course with a good measure of problem solving.
As a company we have already done a lot of work together over the years
and again, recently, regarding the setting and maintenance of our company mission and values. I consider the best way to ensure the values are upheld
by our employees is to lead by example and ensure these are evident in our everyday work culture and work processes, as well as having them incorporated into staff appraisals.
What do you love to do outside of work for fun/relaxation!?
Well, historically, outside of work I would have been writing up a medico-legal report, because I love the work that much! However, as I have got older, I have
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www.pic.legal Autumn & Winter 2024
23
Jessica Thurston
Head of Medico-Legal Operations