Introduction of Legal Services Act will bring a transformation

What’s the biggest development you’ve seen in the legal world during your career?

The Legal Services Act which will produce transformational change in the provision of legal services.

What law would you like to see changed?

The body of law, rules and contractual terms surrounding the successor practice rules relating to law firm professional indemnity insurance.

A number of our efforts to merge with smaller firms have been frustrated by insurer’s fear of the risks that they may be taking on in terms of historic events which may yet turn into claims.

Moving solicitors’ insurance, professional indemnity insurance, to an events-driven basis of claim, rather than a claims-made basis of claim would break the dam and allow a far greater level of merger activity than is currently possible.

What is the most exciting work you’ve ever done?

Working with our team to navigate our firm through the worst recession since The Depression and achieving both growth and the development of a platform to ensure that we thrive going forward.

Who in the legal world do you most admire?

Our clients without whom we would not have a business and the army of support staff who are the unsung heroes which provide the platform without whom the lawyers in any firm could not deliver their services – no matter how brilliant they might be as individuals.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the profession?

Train in a great firm, understand clients in the round not just their legal problems, understand the financial dynamics of the law as a business and work to develop a strong network from day one.