Niche markets and new technology solutions were the big story for this year’s LawNet awards.
And the leading law firm network says it represents a bullish attitude to change in the sector from the mid-size independents that make up its membership.
Top awards went to Buckles Solicitors LLP in the East of England, winning Law Firm of the Year, and Managing Partner of the Year for Mark Hovell at Manchester’s George Davies Solicitors LLP.
Buckles Solicitors LLP scooped the award after racking up a list of achievements during the year under the leadership of managing partner of Colleen Gostick, including a strategic refocusing of the business into key specialist teams, who said: “Our culture is about valuing strong, long-term client relationships and our portfolio of services is designed to clearly distinguish us from our competitors. Acting for a number of national and international household names and drawing clients from across East Anglia, the Midlands and beyond, we are well on our way to becoming a regional heavyweight firm.”
Other innovations for Buckles included strategic alliances with other niche practices designed to build its competitive advantage in key target sectors; late night and Saturday opening hours for clients; and internal IT improvements which include a desktop key performance indicator dashboard for fee earners.
According to John Thomas, chief executive of LawNet: “Buckles stood out. These were real innovations, not just window dressing, and combined with a strong financial performance, it’s placed the firm in an excellent position to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Manchester’s George Davies Solicitors LLP nominated Mark Hovell for Managing Partner of the Year, citing his inspirational approach and fearless attitude to change. Lindsey Farrelly, solicitor and business development manager, who submitted the nomination, said: “He brings out the best in people. There’s a real buzz across the firm.”
Headlining Hovell’s achievements was his relocation of the firm from its old four storey offices to a modern open plan headquarters in the heart of the city, without increasing premises costs. The new location is credited with helping to draw high profile lateral hires into the firm over the past year, and improving cross referrals between departments. Hovell has also drawn international attention to the firm through his specialist sports practice and his role with the Court of Arbitration of Sport in Switzerland, which has included acting as independent arbitrator at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
He said: “We’re keen to remain an independent mid-size firm, so nurturing talent is crucial, whether it’s retaining young lawyers coming up through the firm or attracting the lateral hires we need to fill gaps and enable us to up our game plan in key sectors. Last year was tough, but this year’s figures are up 18% for the same period and pipeline is looking good.”
From Bath, Mogers Solicitors LLP won best business development initiative for allHR their new Amazon-style online human resource service which combines the skills of the firm’s HR manager with its employment team. This online document store of HR policies, documents and letters, was designed for SME’s that were otherwise missing out on professional support. The firm says the new service has secured clients in new markets, as well as delivering added value to existing clients.
Two further awards recognised technological innovation amongst firms. For Clarkson Wright & Jakes, an overhaul of their website – with integrated social media, networking and webinars – has drawn a big increase in traffic. And at Fidler & Pepper in Nottinghamshire, their newly extended Super Case Tracker, an upgraded system giving real-time via the web and smartphones, won the award for best use of technology. Following on from being the first to develop online case tracking back in 1998, this was once again developed wholly in-house by the firm and has, they say, transformed the way information is accessed and displayed to clients.
IBB Solicitors in London were named for their outstanding client care, with a programme that has included a new after care strategy and new processes and training to help staff aim for excellence in every client interaction.
Added LawNet’s John Thomas: “This isn’t about handing out gongs. The real intent behind the awards is to recognise what’s valued within LawNet. For each category we’re looking for sustainable and measurable improvements, underpinned by strong risk management. This year’s submissions were exceptional in the range of new ideas, but all were clearly built on firm foundations.”
This year’s winners were:
Best use of Technology sponsored byTikitTFB
Fidler & Pepper Solicitors
Best Business Development/Marketing Initiative sponsored by thecabinetoffice
Mogers Solicitors LLP
Best Website sponsored by Conscious Solutions
Clarkson Wright & Jakes Ltd
Outstanding Client Care sponsored by Acuigen
IBB Solicitors
Managing Partner of the Year sponsored by Wilkinson Read & Partners
Mark Hovell, George Davies Solicitors LLP
Law firm of the Year sponsored by Voicepath
Buckles Solicitors LLP
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
LawNet firms receive their awards at the annual conference
South East firm Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP has been named the LawNet Law Firm of the Year.
The firm scooped the prize for its successful strategy in driving up its commercial client base and its attitude to staff and client needs. The announcement was made at the annual conference of LawNet, the collaborative national network for independent law firms.
Said LawNet chief executive John Thomas, who presented the awards alongside BBC sports presenter Garry Richardson: “Their client list is now really impressive with some big hitters in the field and this has helped to drive their profits forward. They have increased their profile through various routes, including focussed use of networking, and have launched their own training academy which is available for all staff.”
Winner of the Managing Partner of the Year award was Derwent Campbell of Bath-based Mogers Solicitors LLP, who has overseen international recognition for the firm through the development of their expat services.
The use of leading edge techniques on their website saw a third successive win for East of England firm Kester Cunningham John who have started to sell some legal services online and have secured a 200% increase in traffic after an overhaul of their website.
Another firm rewarded for online innovation was Hertfordshire-based Breeze & Wyles Solicitors LLP, who won the business development award, after introducing an innovative online process to manage conveyancing work, which was written internally and has automated transactional work.
Best CSR policy went to Darbys Solicitors LLP in Oxford, for a clearly defined strategy that involves employees and covers involvement in both community and resource initiatives. The firm has recently secured ISO 14001 accreditation for its environmental management systems, one of only a handful of law firms in the country to do so.
And Ipswich firm Gotelee Solicitors won the Client Care award for a number of recent initiatives and processes, which have included a move to fixed fee billing and the introduction of a Client Promise strategy, which sets out how they will match up to their service claims and tackling everything about the client interaction process, through to how long a client may wait in reception.
The full list of award winners:
Law Firm of the Year
sponsored by comparelegaljobs.com
Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP
Managing Partner of the Year
Sponsored by Voicepath
Derwent Campbell of Mogers Solicitors LLP
Commitment to Client Care
Sponsored by Certainty
Gotelee Solicitors
Best website Sponsored by Hallam Communications
Kester Cunningham John Solicitors
Single Best Initiative: Business Development/Marketing
Sponsored by thecabinetoffice
Breeze & Wyles Solicitors LLP
Best CSR Policy
Sponsored by Westfield Health
Darbys Solicitors LLP
ENDS
360 words
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. Each firm has an exclusive geographical operating area to enable collaboration.
The combined income of the 68 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, business 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.
Top awards went to Buckles Solicitors LLP in the East of England, winning Law Firm of the Year, and Managing Partner of the Year for Mark Hovell at Manchester’s George Davies Solicitors LLP.
