Prominent Birmingham lawyer Bernard Shepherd has joined Blakemores Solicitors as a consultant.
A former president of Birmingham Law Society (2009 – 2010), Birmingham Future’s “Inspiring Leader” (2010) and the current president of the West Midland Association of Law Societies (WMALS), Bernard will assist the firm with the national roll out of Blakemores’ Lawyers2You brand.
Mr Shepherd has spent the past four years as a consultant to law firm Gateley, where he was a partner from 1971-1983. He left to set up his own firm in Great Barr, returning to the Gateley fold in 2007.
Blakemores launched its Lawyers2You brand in 2009. The firm has invested more than £5million in the concept, creating a call centre at its headquarters on Birmingham’s Great Charles Street. Its advisers are stationed at shopping centres, airports, sporting events and festivals around the West Midlands, where they interact with the public direct. Any legal enquiries are fielded by the call centre and, if necessary, referred to a lawyer. Clients are offered a fixed and transparent pricing structure.
The firm plans to replicate its successful model by opening franchise operations around the country, in partnership with established law firms.
In addition to its Lawyers2You business, Blakemores has a business called Perception Solutions, which offers bolt-on services to the legal profession, including insurance, medical reports, translation services and legal recruitment.
According to Mr Shepherd, lawyers are operating in a new and challenging era. The introduction of Alternative Business Structures (ABS)– or ‘Tesco’ law – means the traditional way of delivering legal services is under threat.
He said: “The combined forces of recession, increasing regulation, potential competition from ABSs and difficulties accessing capital for growth, means that the law firm of the future will take a very different shape.
“Blakemores is at the forefront of this revolution. While some firms have already been caught napping, Blakemores has grasped the opportunities and in the Midlands has established a blueprint for delivering legal services in a ground-breaking way. I am looking forward to working with the firm and rolling out this exciting concept around the country.”
Guy Barnett, managing partner at Blakemores said: “Bernard is one of the most experienced and respected lawyers in Birmingham, with a national contact book. We hope he will open doors for us, and help us grow Lawyers2You and Perception into national brands.”
– Ends –
Notes for Editors:
For further information about Lawyers2you, please contact:
Rachael Palmer
Head of Business Development & Marketing
40 Great Charles Street
Birmingham
B3 2AT
Lawyers2you is a trading name of Blakemores Solicitors, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, reference number 47251.
For further information contact:
Laura Bayliss, Online Marketing Executive on 0844 873 5302 or laura.bayliss@blakemores.co.uk
Date issued: 9th December 2011
