In the Manager's Chair
Our 'In the Manager's Chair' interviews profile law firm managing partners, CEOs and other leaders innovating in their firm and their field. If you would like to be profiled in a future interview, please email us
Bright spark
David Farquharson co-founded Ignition Law to support start-up businesses. Lucy Trevelyan talks to him about starting up his own business, and how recruitment and culture have supported success
Group action
Duncan Wood talks to Brian Cullen, CEO of north-west law firm the Jackson Lees Group, about rebranding, its ambitious expansion programme, and change management
Driving success
Robert Camp is outgoing managing partner of award-winning south-west firm Stephens Scown and its new director of strategic innovation. He talks to Diana Bentley about how postcards, milk and campervans have supported the firm’s success
Hatching a plan
Alexandra Hatchman, chief operating officer at Fletchers Solicitors, has transformed her firm in less than two years, and won an Excellence Award for her innovation. Diana Bentley talks to her about her approach, and her plans for the future
Power of three
Leonard Curtis Legal has an unusual offering: as well as providing in-house legal advice to its parent professional services business, it offers advice to external clients, and supports lenders. DirectorAndrew Gregory talks strategy, challenges and plans with Lucy Trevelyan
Allen key
Vidisha Joshi made the headlines when she was named managing partner of Hodge Jones & Allen aged just 38, replacing founder Patrick Allen after 40 years. She explains to Duncan Wood how the firm is gearing up for the future
Winning streak
Conveyancing firm AVRillo has received a host of industry awards and effusive praise on consumer review websites. Co-founder and partner Angelo Piccirillo explains the secrets of its success to Duncan Wood
Moore is more
Diana Bentley talks to Moore Blatch managing partner Ed Whittington about the firm’s strategy for growth
Excello adventure
Excello Law took home the inaugural Law Society’s Excellence in Law Management Excellence Award in 2017. Duncan Wood speaks to managing director George Bisnought and recruitment director Jo Losty about their win, and why their agile model is so successful
Dadd hand
Gordon Dadds hit the news this summer, as the second law firm to float on the London Stock Exchange. Duncan Wood talks to managing partner and CEO, Adrian Biles, about the firm’s strategy and business plan.
King of the hill
North-west firm Hillyer McKeown has recently seen substantial growth in both its core legal services and its portfolio of non-legal diversified services, which include a marketing company and a management consultancy. Duncan Wood speaks to managing partner Steve Harvey
In the Manager's Chair: Rising stock
Nearly four years ago, Guy and Chris Setford from Setfords Solicitors were featured in ‘In the Manager’s Chair’, following the firm’s move to a fee-sharing model. Duncan Wood talks to them about the firm’s growth since, including through external investment
Smashing the ceiling
As one of few female Asians to run an international law firm in London, Pavani Reddy has risen to the top of her profession. She speaks to Duncan Wood about the challenges of being made partner before the age of 30, taking on troublesome cases, and breaking the glass ceiling
In the Manager's Chair: Spinning plates
Duncan Wood talks to Ann Harrison, chairwoman of Stephensons and member of the Law Management Section committee, about juggling multiple roles, presiding over a period of impressive organic growth, and making plans for the future
Ringing the changes
In conversation with Elizabeth Noone, Christina Blacklaws reflects on her new role as deputy vice president of the Law Society, and discusses effective leadership and pressing issues for the profession
Gunning for success
With a distinguished career as a law firm partner behind him, Darryl Cooke co-founded a law firm, gunnercooke, on an innovative new model. He explains to Duncan Wood how the firm is challenging the way that legal services are delivered
Come back fighting
Five years ago, ELS Legal was hit by scandal: one of its partners had defrauded a client of millions of pounds. Partner Richard Spector talks to Duncan Wood about the firm’s comeback, and how it has innovated to succeed.
The long view
Diana Bentley talks to Steven Zdolyny, director of legal services and compliance officer for legal practice at Riverview Law, about life at the helm of this expanding firm.
Tech breakthrough
Peter Wright, director of DigitalLawUK, talks to Diana Bentley about setting up his niche firm
The business end
Catherine Gannon talks to Diana Bentley about the challenges and rewards of setting up Gannons, a boutique firm working with private companies and small businesses
