Some of the UK’s progressive law firms have been recognised at the 360 Legal Group Awards 2011.

It is the second year that 360 Legal Group, which helps law firms manage and market their practices more successfully as businesses, has held the awards to find and showcase practices of all sizes who are adapting to the difficult economic climate and fast changing trading conditions facing the legal profession. 

This year categories including Law Firm of the Year, Local Law Firm of the Year, Management Team of the Year, Specialist Team of the Year and Most Innovative Marketing Idea of the year were open to law firms across the UK.  There was also a 360 Legal Group Member of the Year award which saw candidates nominated by the Group’s consultants.

The winners were announced as follows:

Most Innovative Marketing Idea – Stephen Scown LLP

South West law firm Stephens Scown LLP which has offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell, was announced as the winner of the “Most Innovative Marketing Idea of the Year” award.

The 30 partner practice displayed, in the judges’ opinion, true innovation with a taste of real imagination in the launch of its food and drink team, which was established to support producers, suppliers and retailers in the West Country with specialist legal advice.  The firm also set out to increase its brand awareness, credibility and affinity within the food and drink marketplace and build relationships with regional food and drink trade organisation Taste of the West and its members.

In partnership with Taste of the West, the law firm launched a new iPhone App called Foodfinder SW in May 2011 to champion nearly 800 local food and drink producers and retailers across the West Country.

A media launch, dedicated website, use of social media, mailings and hand-outs at major food and drink events plus an internal communications programme played their part in the marketing campaign for the App.

Foodfinder SW, which represented the first mobile phone presence for the South West’s food and drink industry and one of the first Apps of its kind in the UK, placed more than 800 food and drink producers and retailers in one location, enabling their produce to be promoted both nationally and internationally, as well as in the West Country.

The marketing campaign saw increased brand awareness of Stephens Scown LLP amongst food and drink producers in the South West, supported the firm’s messages to food and drink contacts, increased awareness of the firm with local private clients and prospective contacts, firmly positioned Stephens Scown’s brand as championing the food and drink sector in the South West and has drawn widespread endorsement of the partnership’s work from key voices in the area and industry.

Presenting the award which was sponsored by Croner, Brian Middleton of 360 Legal Group explained:  “This award was aimed at firms who believe in doing things differently.  Our judges were looking for imaginative thinking that was very much out of the box.  They felt that this firm applied true innovation with a taste of real imagination, making them worthy winners.”

Robert Camp, joint managing partner of Stephens Scown LLP added: “We were absolutely delighted to hear that we had won this award for the Foodfinder SW iPhone App. It is particularly pleasing to have been recognised for being at the forefront of technology and that our innovative approach to marketing the firm’s legal expertise and supporting food and drink producers, retailers and suppliers across the Westcountry is leading the field in the UK.”

Local Law Firm of the Year – AMD Solicitors

Bristol law firm AMD Solicitors, which has offices in the Henleaze, Clifton and Shirehampton areas of the city, was announced as the winner of the Local Law Firm of the Year award category. 

AMD Solicitors received its award after it set out to review and sharpen its marketing focus to better enable it to maintain its success through challenging times.

Whilst the firm had in mind conquering new worlds and exploring exciting fresh opportunities it quickly came to realise that its greatest strengths lay in being local.  Combining local with loyalty, the firm has invested time and effort in identifying, engaging with and enhancing existing relationships within its community.  

In the process of developing a Loyalty Card scheme for their clients, AMD solicitors also identified the need for a forum for local business people.  Having canvassed interest, the firm formed what is now a thriving local business association with key roles held by AMD solicitors which contributes time and administrative resources.  The Association has produced a leaflet for householders in the area, arranged talks from a local MP and Council members and has launched its own website.  AMD has benefitted from publicity in local press, has been recognised as having a personal face and caring about local people and facilities and is better known by local businesses and community based organisations. 

The law firm has announced a “Charity of the Year” scheme with good causes voted on by staff with events raising money, encouraging participation and teamwork and resulting in good publicity.  AMD solicitors are Trustees of local Charities and make time to attend local group meetings, for example, of carers of family members with disabilities, whilst commercial department lawyers give their time freely to meet and offer guidance to local start-up businesses.

AMD was also faced with a tough decision posed by shrinking legal aid.  Reluctant to walk away from social need and being proud of its deeply committed and expert team the firm has chosen to deliver a “stripped down service” in exchange for a fixed fee.  This tailors time and paperwork to enable it to be cost effective without compromising service and whilst not profit driven, enables the continuation of a service for which there is demand, the maintenance of valuable legal skills within the company, awareness in the minds of the local community and a platform to develop and respond to other local opportunities of commercial value.

As a result AMD’s services are being better appreciated and awareness sown among existing and potential clients that their local law firm is a far better choice than the impersonal “big boy” firm.

Presenting the award, sponsored by STL, to AMD Director Katie Hughes, Brian Middleton of 360 Legal Group said:  “This firm has demonstrated how caring for local people from all backgrounds and all types of local businesses has been a key to success.”

Marian Davies, one of the founding Directors of AMD, said:  “We were thrilled to receive this award. It is great to have our contribution in providing high quality and personal service within our local community recognised.”

Specialist Legal Team of the Year – Veale Wasborough Vizards

The education team of national law firm, Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV), with offices in Bristol and London was recognised as Specialist Team of the Year for embarking on a learning curve with a clear strategy to target a specific and growing sector of the market.

The firm had anticipated the political change that led to significant legal work arising from maintained schools being encouraged to convert to academies.  Its team invested ahead of that change in relationships with sector associations such as the National Association of School Business Management (NASBM) and was ready ahead of the Academies Act in July 2010 to win work from academy conversions.

VWV provide  a range of specialist legal services for schools including a unique fee recovery service, innovative fixed fee products including a market-leading parent contract which was the first of its kind and is now used by more than 700 independent schools, bespoke school policies and Consumer Credit Act-compliant, termly instalment schemes for the payment of fees.

As well as increasing work from state funded schools, VWV has remained focused on the wider education sector and has also maintained historic levels of growth in its work for independent schools, nurseries and higher and further education institutions. VWV is now positioned as a leading firm in academies work, the schools practice is top ranked nationally in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 and academies expertise is recognised by the Department of Education (DoE).

Presenting the award, sponsored by SIFA, Brian Middleton of 360 Legal Group said:  “This award is about concentrating on what you do well and how you differentiate yourselves from the rest of the pack.  Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a very deserved winner.”

VWV managing partner Simon Heald commented: "We are delighted to have won this award which recognises our track record of innovation and market leading expertise.  Key to our growth in the education sector is long term relationships with clients and prospects and a genuine passion for their work."

Management Team of the Year – Rowlinsons                 

Frodsham based company Rowlinsons Solicitors won the title ‘Management Team of the Year’.

Rowlinsons, who have been trading for over 30 years have invested in services, premises, marketing and staff - a strategy that has seen the firm realise strong growth and expand services to the local community in recent years.

Denis Stevenson, Managing Director comments “The recent economic downturn has spurred the firm to develop strong initiatives and forge relationships with local organisations.  We have also launched Family and Commercial departments in recent years, which benefit the local business and public community.”

Denis adds “In response to client requests, we have extended our opening hours to 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and open on Saturday mornings, making our services more accessible to clients who already juggle family and work commitments and offer home visits when required and a fixed fee on a number of services.”

Presenting the award, sponsored by Lloyds TSB, Brian Middleton of 360 Legal Group said:  “Rowlinsons won this award for “daring to win” in strategy, in business, in tactics and in staff management and for its management determination to succeed.”

Law Firm of the Year – Watkins & Gunn

Watkins and Gunn, a leading South Wales law firm with offices in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypool, was announced as the winner of the award category Law Firm of the Year.

Watkins and Gunn received their award for the vast strides forward they have taken to become recognised as a leading law firm in Wales.  The firm has worked hard to achieve their reputation for quality whilst simultaneously introducing new competitive offerings and effectively marketing them.

In the last year Watkins & Gunn has become one of the first practices in the United Kingdom to secure membership to the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). The firm has been awarded the Private Sector Partnership Award and last October won the 360 Legal Award for Outstanding Achievement. 

Managing Partner Clive Thomas won the Leading Wales Award for Leadership in the Private Sector and other individual members of the team have been shortlisted for a host of legal sector awards.

With a new marketing strategy the firm has been proactive in updating its marketing materials using a “little blue person” to represent the different areas of law.  A platinum brand has also been launched to offer a bespoke service to their premium clients.  The firm has also developed a new website with an innovative chat box facility, publish a quarterly magazine, has adopted a loyalty card to offer discounted services and actively network and employ social networking to raise their profile.

The firm is committed to developing their staff to their full potential and have been awarded the Investors in People Leadership and Management model of excellence.

Watkins & Gunn also prides itself on being an ethical firm with a strong sense of community and social responsibility.  They are very conscious of their impact on the environment and have achieved the Green Dragon environmental award by reducing their carbon emissions and cutting their landfill waste by two-thirds. 

In the community their family team run an outreach service working with Women’s Aid and the business gives presentations to and is involved in school projects. They work closely with the Wooden Spoon charity who have funded important local community projects and have supported the Joshua Foundation, collecting thousands of pounds worth of gifts for raffle and auction prizes.  In addition Watkins & Gunn supports a large number of local clubs and societies and Sarah Williams, one of the Partners, has been active in coaching and helping run a local youth netball club.

The partners have restructured and improved the firm’s financial management and Watkins & Gunn has seen a 20 per cent increase in fee income. The firm has also revealed that client satisfaction levels with its high quality service are at an all-time high of 98 per cent.

Presenting the award, sponsored by NTegrity, Brian Middleton of 360 Legal Group said:  “360 Law Firm of the Year is the ultimate accolade.  This award is about demonstrating significant real achievement.  Watkins and Gunn have shown activity, industry, innovation, quality, client satisfaction and growth and is a very worthy winner.”

Clive Thomas, Managing Partner at Watkins & Gunn, said:  “This has been another fantastic year of achievement for Watkins & Gunn but we have no intention of becoming complacent. We have a wonderful team of talented and dedicated staff and we fully intend pushing on to achieve further success and future growth through our strategy of continuous improvement and providing an unrivalled service to our clients.”

 360 Legal Group Member of the Year – Atteys

Attey’s Solicitors, one of the leading practices in South Yorkshire, has scooped the title 360 Legal Group Member of the Year.

Atteys received its award for facing the challenges presented by the market and addressing them with steely resilience and determination, under the guidance of Charles Glover, the newly appointed non lawyer Chief Executive who has brought a fresh and dynamic business approach.  The firm was also praised for its confidence, vigour and management of staff.

Presenting the award, Brian Middleton of 360 Legal Group said:  “The theme of our conference is Who Dares Wins and we are delighted to recognise law firms who are grasping the challenges of the Legal Services Act and developing their services accordingly.  Atteys has addressed these opportunities in the last year by becoming a Limited company and employing a non-lawyer chief executive and is restructuring its services and products to meet changing consumer and business demands.

“In choosing our award winners we have been looking for law firms that are facing the future with imagination and initiative and in reviewing Atteys for the awards, we felt that they stood out in the way they have been driving their business forward and setting standards in user-friendly legal services.”

Commenting on the awards, Viv Williams, Chief Executive of 360 Legal Group commented: “Complementing our conference theme “Who Dares Wins” our awards have shown that there are many law firm out there who are ready and willing to meet the challenges facing them head on.

“It is anticipated that a high number of high street law firms will disappear in the new legal landscape yet there will also be a wealth of opportunities for those firms who are prepared to look to the future, forge a new vision for their firms and rethink and restructure their businesses. We are proud to offer, through our awards, an opportunity for those pioneering law firms who are already adapting to be recognised and applauded.”

For details of this year’s conference and to find out more about the 360 Legal Group’s 2012 conference and awards visit:  www.360legalgroup.co.uk

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