A Decade as Owner and Managing Partner of mlplaw

This May marks 10 years as owner and Managing Partner of mlplaw.  I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on that time and my career to date.

How it started:

I’ve been surrounded by inspirational businesspeople all my working career and always had an interest in business not just the law. I saved my paper round ‘pocket money’ to buy shares and read AGM notices with interest as a young teen (yes, sad I know!). I was an equity partner (part business owner) from relatively early on in my professional career. I joined mlplaw in January 2011 and when the opportunity arose to takeover, I jumped at the chance. I acquired the firm in 2014 from the last remaining founding partner and owner, Michael Lister. When I became Managing Partner, I knew that I wanted to build on the legacy and significant developments made at the firm, create a law firm with a genuine difference, build an expert legal team and serve our clients with the very best standards of service by exceeding expectations and delivering results.

Highlights, Successes and Challenges:

In 2017, we acquired WH Lill & co. Solicitors from Michael Jackson and Seb Jackson. They were based at 16 Old Market Place in Altrincham and 9 The Cross Lymm (and we still have the office in Lymm). In 2022 we established our Manchester office, and we also have an office in Leeds; we aim to be a leading provider of legal services in the Northwest.

The pandemic in 2020 brought the most significant challenge I have faced as a business owner, having to adapt quickly and seamlessly to a new reality: supporting our clients going through the same difficulties and uncertainties with one hand whilst looking after and offering support, guidance and leadership to colleagues and family with the other. I was extremely grateful for the resilience and flexibility all my colleagues showed during the most difficult of times allowing us to continue serving our clients and take care of our health and wellbeing.

In 2022, we became the only law firm members of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter – a scheme working to improve employment standards across Greater Manchester. This recognition shows fulfilment of the Charter’s criteria, including employee engagement and voice, health and wellbeing, and flexible working. More recently in 2023, I was proud to have been nominated for ‘Partner of the Year’ in the Manchester Legal Awards and mlplaw were also nominated in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ category.

Having established our fundamental values and goals – Great People in a great place to work; Do the Right thing – for our people, our clients and the communities in which we serve – our activities span ensuring we attract and retain the very best people, a ‘people first’ approach and reducing our carbon footprint year on year and being carbon positive through offset each year (starting in 2022).

As an owner and leader you learn most by the challenges and setbacks you face and there have been many. Without doubt the support of TAB a peer board of like minded owners and Managing Directors help provide focus and accountability.  We’ve also achieved incredible results as a business and team, as well as for clients. Too many to mention here and every success (sale, acquisition, resolving potential disputes before they become full blown disputes, helping transform client relations with customers and suppliers, and successful results with disputed cases) all bring immense satisfaction to the role.  Undoubtedly, I and we could not do the great work we do without an incredible team at mlplaw. Any success is a collective success.

My vision and what I set out to achieve:

Over my 10 years, I have been committed to building a law firm with strong DNA and values. As a team we share a commitment to delivering first-class, tailored services for every client.  For me, it has always been about the client, how I best serve them and not just the law – always doing the right thing, delivering results, and exceeding expectations. I’m privileged to be part of a team where each individual shares that vision and works hard each day to deliver on it.

Leading mlplaw and seeing the changes and progress we have made gives an immense sense of pride and I’m as driven as ever to help serve our clients, their businesses, and the communities we impact. Equally important to me is the opportunity to build a business with a team of exceptional people and superb lawyers, who share my vision. Recently, I have been actively involved with our Green Team’s initiatives and ESG Policies, to achieve net zero and carbon neutrality.

Thank you to all our clients and colleagues who have made the last 10 years so enjoyable, and I look forward to the next chapter in the journey.