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
LawNet raises the bar with new client service standard
See coverage at: http://bit.ly/12lLZ3A
Firms in the LawNet network have a new stamp of approval to help them stand out on the high street, with the launch of an audited client care mark that’s backed by the network’s ISO 9001 standard.
Law firm network LawNet has launched a ‘Mark of Excellence’ in client service that’s designed to give member firms a competitive edge.
The Mark is set out in a client service charter and will provide a nationally-recognisable and robust measure of quality to clients. Practice performance will be measured through a suite of tools especially designed for LawNet firms, including compulsory online satisfaction surveys, training and mystery shopping. Compliance with the mark will be audited as part of the LawNet ISO 9001 standard.
All LawNet firms must, as a condition of membership, achieve and maintain the network’s bespoke ISO 9001 standard, which was updated last year to include the requirements of LEXCEL and OFR. Now, the Client Care focus has been extended, to make it more immediately relevant to clients and help firms translate compliance into client service excellence.
The satisfaction surveys will be delivered through the Law League online portal, and will enable firms to benchmark themselves against fellow member firms and others nationwide.
The mystery shopping will involve eight samples each year, both telephone and walk-in, and is being delivered through the professional services division of Shopper Anonymous, who will also provide one to one feedback and in-practice training to support their findings.
Launching the Mark, chief executive John Thomas said “Our firms are always focussed on delivering excellence, but we recognise that in the new world it’s not enough simply to be an excellent legal adviser. How you look after clients is what makes a difference, and this Mark of Excellence will give firms the tools to focus on that internally.
“It’s not just lip service to client care, or badging something without substance, this is solid. It’s backed up by ISO 9001 and involves ongoing training, measurement and benchmarking. The audit systems are already in place and proven; this will be a simple add-on for firms that will drive real benefits.”
Firms with an established client service charter of their own, which is at least equivalent, can ask to have their own system accredited, but will be required to undertake the compulsory mystery shopping and online surveying.
LawNet board member Mark Hovell of Manchester’s George Davies added: “I think the Mark of Excellence gives LawNet firms a real opportunity to listen and learn from their clients and to steal a march on their competitors.”
At Lamb Brooks LLP, managing partner Ann Davies said: “This strategy for the future is just what we wanted to hear. I think the Mark of Excellence is a fantastic move, which is going to help all of the firms within LawNet to stand up to challenges facing the legal profession.”
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 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
About Law League:
Law League was established in 2010 and is the UK’s leading benchmarking organisation for law firms. In 2013 we will host and analyse over 1.5 million individual questions.
Law League provides law firms with online surveys to monitor how they are viewed by their clients and staff. Uniquely, survey results are anonymously benchmarked. So, not only can a firm monitor its relationships with clients and staff, but it can see how well it is faring against its peer group across the UK.
Results are displayed in easy to view graphics which can be used to improve client retention, develop new business or attract and retain a motivated, efficient workforce all of which lead to increased profitability.
About Shopper Anonymous:
Shopper Anonymous are experts at offering the professional sector feedback through their extensive mystery shopping programmes. The company have franchised across the UK and have highly trained teams of mystery shoppers who have the ability to behave like a normal customer. The mystery shoppers then conduct a series of visits with tailored scenarios to all departments within the legal firm. The feedback is the most comprehensive in the mystery shopping sector. The franchisees are also highly skilled and trained at delivering quality training solutions as an outcome of the mystery shopping results to their legal customers. The company’s mystery shopping products measure the presentation of the office and staff, the customer service skills of the team and the sales skills of the legal expert. Shopper Anonymous is responsible for benchmarking the services standards of the Lawnet members through an on-going and extensive mystery shopping programme. The company has more than 18 years of experience working in the legal sector throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.