Innovation name of the game for LawNet awards
Innovation was the name of the game at this year’s LawNet awards, with the collaborative network celebrating the contribution of the winning firms who showcased their strategies for success.
Leading the winners by scooping the Law Firm of the Year was Warner Goodman LLP.
Announcing the awards, Chris Marston, chief executive of LawNet, said: “The aim of our annual awards is to get to the heart of what makes an innovative law firm, underpinned by a commitment to excellence, and these were outstanding examples of that ethos.”
Warner Goodman LLP has experienced record growth through its focus on strong financial management, combined with a commitment to client care and staff well-being. The strategy has delivered a 20% increase in turnover year on year and a dramatic rise in net profit margins.
Said Ian Curtis, managing partner of Warner Goodman: “It’s a very proud moment for us, and a fantastic testament to the great staff we have.”
Joint winners of the Young Lawyer of the Year award were Lorna Barry of Aylesbury-based Parrott and Coales LLP, who has been showing how to leverage networks to create new revenue streams, and Ben Ward of Ashton KCJ, who has been recognised by the Legal 500 at only 3 years PQE, and is already successfully carving out his own specialism.
Andrew and Co in Lincoln scooped Best Innovation for showing a clear line of sight between strategy and implementation in the development of an 'Energy and Renewables' team that has seen them become sector leaders in a very short period of time.
In the East of England, Ashton KCJ’s digital marketing won them top prize for the second year running, securing the Best Digital Presence award for their company-wide culture of online activity and contribution, which has resulted in tangible business benefits.
Team of the Year went to the Compliance Team at West Midlands-based FBC Manby Bowdler Solicitors, for demonstrating the power of collaboration to improve processes, drive efficiency and foster a culture of compliance across the wider firm.
Best Community Contribution went to Belfast firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin for their company-wide fundraising events and effective protocols on recycling and power consumption.
Hay & Kilner received the Mark of Excellence award, having posted the most impressive combined performance across mystery shopping and online client satisfaction measurement.
Added Chris Marston: “The awards are a great opportunity to recognise the contribution our members are making to the standing of the LawNet network, as well as recognising the staff behind these outstanding outcomes.
“We set high quality and management standards for members, and that helps to maintain the parity between our firms, which in turn leads to a cooperative powerhouse effect, where everyone benefits from collaboration and networking – and that’s evident in this year’s award winners.”
The award winners:
Law Firm of the Year Warner Goodman LLP : Sponsored by Wilkinson Read & Partners
Team of the Year FBC Manby Bowdler Solicitors : Sponsored by Baker Tilly
Young Lawyers of the year Lorna Barry, Parrott and Coales LLP and
Ben Ward, Ashton KCJ : Sponsored by Landmark and STL
Best Innovation Andrew and Co : Sponsored by TikitTFB
Best Community Contribution Cleaver Fulton Rankin : Sponsored by Lloyds Bank
Best Digital Presence Ashton KCJ, sponsored by Conscious Solutions
LawNet Mark of Excellence Hay & Kilner : Sponsored by Law League
Pictured (left to right): Ben Ward, Ashton KCJ; Chris Marston, LawNet; Abby Winkworth, IBB; Niall Blackie of FBC Manby Bowdler; Mary Porch, Ashton KCJ; Ian Curtis, Warner Goodman LLP; Kim Carr, FBC Manby Bowdler; Phillip Hoskins, Andrew & Co; Karen Blair, Cleaver Fulton Rankin; Helen Hamilton-Shaw, LawNet
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, 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, non-competing 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 income of the 64 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £20m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, practice development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Twitter: @LawNetUK
Independents focus on putting clients first
Download photographs of the winners from Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawnet/sets/72157632578411694/
Clients came out on top in this year’s LawNet awards, with the winning firms all showcasing strategies that put the customer first.
And the law firm network says it shows the step-change in the sector that’s being led by the mid-size independents that make up its membership.
The winner of Law Firm of the Year went to Manchester’s George Davies Solicitors LLP and Managing Partner of the Year was Kim Carr of Midlands firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, who has led the firm since 2008.
According to John Thomas, chief executive of LawNet: “George Davies stood out this year, with a range of initiatives tailored to improve service for their clients, combined with robust internal processes to keep employees on track with the business plan. The firm is delivering real results with a number of high profile cases and a real presence in the legal rankings, all backed up by strong financial performance. They’re forging their own opportunities and this is a firm that is going places.”
Speaking of managing partner winner Kim Carr, FBC Manby Bowdler senior partner Niall Blackie said: “Kim has been instrumental in the firm’s continued growth. She is an inspirational and accomplished leader and we are fortunate to have her directing our business.” Mrs Carr’s award follows hard on the heels of recognition in the most recent Legal 500 for the 35 partner firm, and “One To Watch” in the 2012 Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For survey.
Young Lawyer of the Year winner was Emma Atkins of Denison Till. Less than 2 years post-qualification she is already handling complex and high level cases in her area of specialisation. She has also taken the lead in the firm’s online and social media activity.
Best Business Development or Marketing Initiative went to Grindeys LLP, who recognised the importance of the role they play in their local community and set about developing a platform to bring together their pro-bono, charitable and fundraising activities, which has raised their profile and attracted new contracts.
Best website went to Ashton KCJ, winning for content development and site navigation that is focused firmly on the client and their needs.
The award for Excellence in Risk Management and Compliance went to Vanderpump & Sykes Solicitors, for initiatives designed to embed a compliance culture in the firm, including long term compliance planning, comprehensive firm-wide training programmesand risk registers.
And Matthew Arnold & Baldwin won the Commitment to Client Care award, for a range of initiatives that range from secondments and flexible pricing models, to relationship partners and free in-house legal surgeries and training for clients.
Added LawNet’s John Thomas: “The aim of these annual awards is to get to the heart of what makes a LawNet firm, with an innovative attitude that’s underpinned by a commitment to excellence and strong risk management. Every submission this year demonstrated how firms recognise the importance of creating meaningful client interactions, and that’s going to be a game changer in the years to come. ”
This year’s winners were:
2012 LawNet Law Firm of the Year award, sponsored by Voicepath.
George Davies Solicitors LLP
Managing Partner of the Year, sponsored by SSG Legal.
Kim Carr, FBC Manby Bowdler LLP
Young Lawyer of the Year, sponsored by Wilkinson Read & Partners
Emma Atkins, Denison Till
Best Business Development or Marketing Initiative, sponsored by Sweet & Maxwell
Grindeys LLP
Best Website, sponsored by Conscious Solutions
Ashton KCJ
Commitment to Client Care sponsored by TikitTFB
Matthew Arnold & Baldwin
Excellence in Risk Management and Compliance sponsored by QBE European Operations
Vanderpump & Sykes Solicitors
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk Twitter : @magtay
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk Twitter: @helenhshaw
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet:
LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, non-competing 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 income of the 65 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £15m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, practice development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Twitter: @LawNetUK