In the latest private client edition of Realm Talks To… Principal Consultant Kelly Reid caught up with Martin Holdsworth, founder of contentious probate boutique, IDR Law.
In the interview, Martin explains what it’s been like watching IDR grow, the best advice he’s ever received and his love for the Scottish Highlands.
At what age did you decide that the law was for you?
I liked the idea of being a lawyer from a young age – around 16. I worked for a law firm after my A levels and before going to Uni and really enjoyed it. I never really looked back after that.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
There are probably 2 recurring bits of advice that has stuck with me. The first is something my dad said to me many years ago – “Nobody is better than you are, but that doesn’t make you better than everyone else.” A balance of self-confidence and humility is something that has always attracted my admiration – it has become the primary requisite in all those I now work with. The second bit of advice is pretty well known and should speak for itself – “Kindness is not weakness”.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I love my job – to be able to design and run a firm that has thrown the traditional law firm model out the window and see it grow and thrive as it has over the last 4 years is such a thrill. One of the team said in a recent meeting that the last 6 months she had been with us had been the best time of her legal career – it doesn’t get better than that, does it?
When you’re having a bad day, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
I simply go home (or switch off if I am in my home office). Nothing grounds me more than my family. Work is an important part of my life but it will always come a poor second to my wife and children – nothing beats the banter and incessant irreverent teasing I get from them and I love them for it.
Where’s your favourite place to eat out?
My favourite place to eat out would be anywhere in the Scottish Highlands – I am an avid Munro bagger and no matter how squashed your sarnie, it always tastes fantastic sat on a mountainside taking in an often damp view!
About Martin Holdsworth
Martin Holdsworth is the Founder and Director of IDR Law, a boutique firm specialising in inheritance dispute resolution.
He founded IDR Law after developing and running contentious probate teams within larger law firms for nearly two decades. Martin is an ACTAPS national committee member and, as a result of his long-established reputation within the sector, is a member of The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame.
