LawNet hits new membership high
LawNet, the collaborative, non-profit network for independent law firms, has announced a record intake of new members, taking membership to 71 firms - the highest for 20 years.
Six new firms have joined during the past year, with the two most recent recruits being London-based William Sturges and Martin Tolhurst Solicitors in Kent, bringing the combined turnover of member firms to more than £300m.
Managing partner Richard Carter of Martin Tolhurst, which has 160 staff across six offices, said: “We were delighted to join a group that had impressed us from afar. We like the fact that the network is member-owned and will support our firm in building our own brand. We are keen to get involved in the excellent training programme and the collaborative approach with like-minded law firms is already evident from our first few days of membership.”
At Westminster-based William Sturges, with just under 50-staff, managing partner James Hannon said: “As a firm we want to make greater efficiencies, and membership will give us access to resources that would otherwise be out of reach to a firm of our size. We expect to see benefits in helping us manage risk, satisfy regulatory requirements and reduce our professional indemnity premiums, as well as giving us marketing and other expertise at a level that we could not otherwise expect to have in-house. The opportunity to share ideas and best practice with leaders in other progressive firms is also very attractive.”
LawNet chief executive Chris Marston added: “Growing the membership increases our influence and our buying power, which is vital for the future success of the network. But we will never lower the bar and any firm wanting to join LawNet must satisfy our stringent eligibility criteria and be a true fit in terms of quality and outlook.
“The new members who join us today are strong, independent, resourceful businesses who, despite being major players in their chosen geographical or sector markets, nonetheless see the value of being part of something bigger.
“They’re drawn to the collaborative, non-competing approach, which is so highly valued by our members.”
He added: “Our membership remains very stable, but consolidation in the sector has an inevitable impact, and we continue to be focused on identifying firms that may add to the mix, as well filling some geographic gaps."
LawNet membership is by invitation, typically to firms fitting the profile of £2m - £25m turnover who are prepared to commit to the LawNet ISO 9001 quality standard, which is mandatory for all firms and incorporates the network’s customer-facing LawNet Excellence Mark programme, through which LawNet firms measure the client experience using mystery shopping and client satisfaction surveys.
LawNet’s ISO 9001 quality standard also incorporates all the requirements of the Law Society’s Lexcel practice management standard, creating a direct route through which LawNet members can achieve dual accreditation.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 020 7 846 0096 Mobile: 0797 3767 602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Member Engagement & Strategy Director, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet
LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, mutually-owned national network where independent law firms could access big firm resources and benefit from collective purchasing, shared knowledge, best practice and expertise.
All members share a commitment to excellence and must achieve and maintain LawNet’s own ISO.9001 standard and the associated Mark of Excellence in client service.
The combined aggregate turnover of the 71 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £300m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £25m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – learning, networking, PII, practice development, marketing, compliance. It currently places over £1bn worth of PII cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Twitter: @LawNetUK
Spire’s strategy secures top slot at LawNet’s awards
Crowne Plaza Heythrop Park
©Steve Pope - Fotowales
Norfolk firm Spire headed the list of legal innovators recognised for their achievements in this year’s LawNet awards.
The best and brightest from across the country’s mid-size independent firms were recognised at the annual awards ceremony, which saw more than 200 lawyers from 71 firms come together.
Now in its tenth year, the awards recognise the UK's best law firms and lawyers who are driving innovation and delivering outstanding business results.
"Each of the seven nominated award categories was keenly contested and all those shortlisted were outstanding, demonstrating they are among the best in the sector, and leading the way in facing up to the rapidly changing environment we face," said LawNet chief executive Chris Marston.
Spire Solicitors LLP was named LawNet Law Firm of the Year. A four-year strategic plan has seen three Norfolk firms across eight offices blended to create a major new regional player. Significant investment has established the necessary infrastructure, financial standing and team to enable the new firm to springboard future development and overcome declining local markets faced by smaller firms.
Said Alisdair Liddle, managing partner of Norfolk-based Spire LLP: “We have merged three firms and that’s quite a big challenge. It’s been a successful merger and we have an environment where people are positive and proactive, which reflects on the first-class service we serve to our clients on a daily basis. Without these founding business values across our firm, as well as the energy each member of staff has towards delivering outstanding advice and quality of service, achievements like this wouldn’t be possible.”
He added: “From my long involvement with LawNet, going back nearly 26 years, I know just how good our fellow finalists are, so to be selected as Law Firm of the Year is a real honour; it means a lot to us.”
Winner of the Young Lawyer of the Year was Rachael Gamble of Cleaver Fulton Rankin Ltd in Belfast, already a recommended individual in the UK Legal 500 and a well-regarded litigator with a busy Chancery practice.
Best Digital Presence went to East Anglian based Ashtons Legal for their continued digital commitment, with a sophisticated multi-channel strategy working seamlessly to support their aim of being more accessible to prospects, clients, referrers and business contacts.
Stamp Jackson & Procter Ltd from Hull collected the Excellence in Employee Engagement for its latest initiative, which has seen its personal injury department taken through a cultural shift to enable the team to lead a reputation-led approach to future business development, as the department moves away from direct advertising.
The Excellence in Client Care award went Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd in Kent for their work in delivering exceptional customer service through a relentless drive for improvement and creative client service initiatives.
Best Community Contribution went to Tozers Solicitors LLP in the South West for its CSR strategy, which has been a game-changer in securing staff engagement and extending the firm’s reach in its local community.
And Team of the Year went to the Employment & HR Team at MLP Law Ltd in the North West, for a three-year strategic growth plan that has seen a 300% increase in turnover and a six-fold increase in fee earners.
LawNet chairman, Kim Carr, managing partner of Midlands-based FBC Manby Bowdler, added: “We have an outstanding set of innovators within the LawNet network and the awards celebrate all that makes our firms distinctly different.”
The award winners:
Law Firm of the Year Spire Solicitors LLP : Sponsored by Wilkinson Read & Partners
Team of the Year Employment & HR Team, MLP Law Ltd : Sponsored by STL
Young Lawyer of the year Rachael Gamble, Cleaver Fulton Rankin Ltd : Sponsored by Landmark Information Group
Excellence in Employee Engagement Stamp Jackson & Procter Ltd : Sponsored by Tikit
Best Community Contribution Tozers Solicitors LLP : Sponsored by Moneypenny
Best Digital Presence Ashtons Legal : Sponsored by Conscious Solutions
Excellence in Client Care Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd : Sponsored by Shopper Anonymous
Most active LawNet member Gepp & Sons Solicitors
LawNet Award winners 2017 : To download a high res image: click here
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 020 7 846 0096 Mobile: 0797 3767 602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Member Engagement & Strategy Director, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet
LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, mutually-owned national network where independent law firms could access big firm resources and benefit from collective purchasing, shared knowledge, best practice and expertise.
All members share a commitment to excellence and must achieve and maintain LawNet’s own ISO.9001 standard and the associated Mark of Excellence in client service.
The combined aggregate turnover of the 71 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £300m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £25m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – learning, networking, PII, practice development, marketing, compliance. It currently places over £1bn worth of PII cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.