Blakemores Solicitors will enter a new era when it changes status on 1 May 2009. The Partnership will become one of the first Legal Disciplinary Practices (LDPs), thanks to changes adopted in the Legal Services Act. The Midlands based law firm has also had one of its most successful years in its history bucking the general trend of cutbacks and redundancies seen by other firms and seeing growth of 15% over the past year. This is in part, due to its consumer led businesses such as personal injury & insurance claims, dispute resolution, family and childcare, and immigration teams that have continued to expand despite the tough economic climate.
The term Legal Disciplinary Practice (LDP) describes the new type of practice enabling law firms such as Blakemores to move into the 21st century and allow non-solicitors to become Partners. This is in preparation for the opening up of the market to allow external ownership of legal businesses (e.g Virgin Law) and multidisciplinary practices providing legal and other services. For Blakemores, this means that four of the five senior managers promoted on 1st May to Partner, are not trained as solicitors. The five individuals are Rachael Palmer Operational Manager, Injury & Insurance, Justine Matthews Operational Manager, Conveyancing, Kerry Sherrad, Finance Manager, Rennie Simpson, Practice Manager and Alex O’Toole, HR & Compliance Manager.
Managing Partner Guy Barnett, said of the new status “Blakemores is in a great position both financially and with our new structure, to face the opportunities that the Legal Services Act has opened up to firms like us. We are now better equipped than ever to provide the best possible service to our clients, investing in IT and marketing to enter new areas of business to continue our growth.”
Ends
Note to editors:
Blakemores is a leading Midlands law firm, specialising in injury & insurance claims, dispute resolution, immigration, family & childcare, conveyancing, commercial property and wills, trusts, tax and probate. With over 170 staff across two offices in Birmingham and Leamington Spa the firm provides great value legal advice to a wide range of private and commercial clients throughout the UK.
For more information contact:
Sarah Jacks Marketing & Business Development Manager, on 0844 873 5292 or email sarah.jacks@blakemores.co.uk
