Janet Hood died unexpectedly this month. She was a one of Scotland’s foremost licensing experts, and I was very lucky to call her my friend. When I heard the news my first thought was to call her, because I didn’t quite believe it – and that’s what I did. Hubby Alastair picked the phone up and I was choked, but not for long because I was happy to know that her last evening was spent doing what she most enjoyed, having a great meal with her partner in crime and a wee dram.
She was, as many of you will know, a truly exceptional woman – with the most inquisitive of minds, and the sharpest. Not much got by Janet. I first interviewed her, and if I had had the time I would have gone back to our storage unit and looked out the magazine, some 25 years ago. I met her in Stonehaven where she was presiding over the Licensing Board as Senior Solicitor for Aberdeenshire Council. A role she had for more than 20 years. That started a friendship that spanned the decades.
Janet was an incredibly talented solicitor, passionate about the trade and dedicated to her clients. She liked to say she worked “positively with the licensed trade” and she did. She was eternally optimistic and would go above and beyond for her clients. She branched out on her own as a consultant advising legal firms and set up Janet Hood Training & Consultant Ltd.
If there was a licensing issue that I didn’t understand, or one that she was fuming about, we would have a call and put the world to rights. But she was also great at giving credit where credit was due.
She just loved her clients and was very proud of all that they achieved. She would call me to suggest I did a piece on them.
I probably saw the most of her when she headed up the BII in Scotland for five years. We went to many an event and did a pile of awards judging too when the BII sponsored an award. You could hear Janet before you saw her – her infectious laugh was just that – as soon as I heard it, I knew it would be a good evening.
We also spent many a night at the Best Bar None Awards in Dundee organised by Morag Beattie. In fact, Janet was the main reason I made the journey from Glasgow to Dundee on a Sunday night – her company always invigorated me and she would always get a big cheer from the local licensed trade when she stood up to speak. She was the one speaker that didn’t require a microphone!
She joined The Law Society of Scotland more than 29 years ago. It was an organisation that she was very proud to be associated with. Over the years she held roles including Council and Board member as well as being the former Convenor of the Equality and Diversity Committee. She also served on the Licensing reform subcommittee. She was a former Director of the BEN, and the Scottish Tourism Alliance too.
Former Law Society chief executive Lorna Jack on hearing the news said, “It is really hard to believe that Janet Hood, a trailblazer in licensing law, a champion of the legal profession, and a great friend to so many, sadly passed away last week.
“I first got to know Janet when I became the CEO of the Law Society of Scotland, her professional body. Janet gave much of her time and energy to the Society and at that time was a member of their governing Council and chair of the In-House Lawyers Group (ILG). She was actually the first LawScot Council member I met (outside of the recruitment panel) as she kindly invited me to the ILG annual dinner in November 2008, just before I started in the new role. She introduced me to so many people that night, which spoke to her enormous network both inside and outside of the legal profession. Everyone knew Janet! And so started a great working relationship over the next 15 years.
“My next opportunity to engage with her was planned for next week – as she served as one of the Scottish Legal Awards judging panel, which I chair. We had just sent her the entry forms and I of course looked forward to her unvarnished and energetic contributions to judging day. So, to say I am shocked and deeply sad at this news is quite the understatement.
“Janet was fearless, fun, and always fully committed to whatever she took on. She and I didn’t always agree on everything, but I respected the fact that she spoke her mind with passion, and she never held a grudge if you weren’t always on the same page. The world is a little less colourful without her in it.“
Former licensing lawyer and friend, Tom Johnston says, “When Janet Hood was in a room, you knew about it. Who can forget the bright red lipstick, the huge amber necklace and the ebullient greeting? Larger than life doesn’t begin to describe her.
“In the world of licensing, literally everyone knew Janet. The first part of her career was spent as a clerk. Dealing with poorly drafted legislation riddled with ambiguity, Janet was a pragmatist. Where others delighted in finding problems, Janet worked with people to find solutions.
“When she changed sides and set up in practice on her own, she soon attracted a large and loyal clientele. Appearing at licensing boards up and down the country, her no nonsense style and eloquence produced some remarkable results. Mind you, the fact that she was a true expert in her field – the only clerk to be awarded specialist accreditation by the Law Society – also helped.
“At licensing conferences and on Law Society committees she would passionately argue her corner. But, unlike many, she was prepared to listen. And, a greater rarity in today’s polarised Scotland, even if she couldn’t persuade you, it didn’t change her view of you.
“When Janet Hood was your friend, you knew it.”
Frank Murphy of the Pot Still was also a friend. He said, “Janet came into my life at a pivotal time, recognised my interest in licensing, and helped me learn so much by happily giving her time. She encouraged me to stand up, use my voice and ask questions in company where I may otherwise have stalled. Janet educated, emboldened, and empowered me, and we had lots of fun together. I will miss her greatly.”
In January Janet wrote, “Good grief 40 years in practice – hooray and still love being a lawyer.“ And she did, but over the last few years she also loved being a gran.
She would bubble over with excitement when she was planning her trip down south to see her beloved son Johnny, partner Karen, and her granddaughters Poppy and Amber,
My thoughts are also with her hubby Alistair, who I heard a lot about but never met, and her wider family and friends. My life is certainly far richer for having known her. Her heart was as warm as the amber she always wore, and amber will always remind me of her. RIP my friend.