Member Article

Interview: Shefali Talukdar, managing partner at Clough & Willis, on professionalism, referral fees and business sense

Bury’s Clough & Willis Solicitors report turnover in excess of £1 million and are looking to expand headcount by 20% in the next 12 months.

The firm which currently employs 38 people across commercial & corporate, insolvency, employment, dispute resolution, property, family, and personal injury teams, is looking to expand if the economy continues to improve for the next 12 months.

The firm report that its focus is firmly on building and increasing its existing client base as well as launching value added services.

The Bury based law firm has been around for 110 years and is still enjoying welcoming new business and staff members as it has grown.

Managing partner of Clough & Willis Solicitors Shefali Talukdar told Bdaily: “We of course offer many similar services to other law firms so we work hard to ensure that every client experience is first class.

“We don’t believe in fobbing our clients off with junior members of staff; we offer a solicitor led service which, in turn, means all matters are handled by a specialist qualified solicitor.

“We also don’t pay referral fees for any work. For us, trust is key – along with loyalty - so it beggars the question whether either can even exist in a client’s mind if they know they’ve been ‘paid for’.

“You also risk making them feel like a commodity.

“I believe many law firms (and I’m sure this would apply to many other sectors) need to go back to basics by putting the emphasis on delivering a good service, which is value for money (but not cheap), by really understanding every client’s needs and by becoming their long-term partner.

“That’s not some antiquated approach; it’s makes good business sense.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .