Member Article

Team engagement and client relationships sustain growth at Clarion in difficult year

Despite the challenges over the last 12 months around remote working and Covid-related pressures, Clarion has again delivered a solid financial performance with revenues reaching £19.6m (for year ending 31st May 2020). The Leeds-based law firm attributes its resilience to its focus on supporting its team and clients throughout the upheaval and distress caused by the pandemic.

“Over the last 13 years, we have focussed on making Clarion a great place to work, knowing that a highly engaged and committed team will deliver the very best service to our clients,” explains Roger Hutton, joint managing partner of Clarion. “This strong employee culture has really been put to the test since March 2020 when we all started working from home, but the commitment of the team has really shone through. I believe we have actually emerged stronger as well as learning some important lessons along the way.”

These latest financial results mark Clarion’s fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth with turnover at the firm increasing by almost 13% since 2018/19 when it reached £17.4m. The firm has also continued to invest in new talent, recruiting another 46 people over the last financial year, and bringing its headcount now to 261 colleagues, including 29 partners.

“We actively encourage colleagues to invest time and energy in really getting to know their clients’ businesses rather than simply looking at the immediate legal issue, and these latest results are testament to our ability to do this. With all kinds of businesses facing an incredibly challenging time, the Clarion ethos has really come into its own – when facing tough decisions, people turn to advisers they know and trust.

“We are also fortunate to have such a top class and well-regarded legal community in Leeds which gives us a great platform from which to work regionally, nationally and internationally. Yorkshire is a really dynamic place for entrepreneurs and businesses and, therefore, also for professional advisers – it’s encouraging to see so many people with the vision and grit to find new opportunities, whatever the situation.”

Hutton continues: “Our dedicated banking team has performed particularly well, seeing substantial growth, and our real estate team has diversified into contentious matters. We’ve also expanded our services with the addition of a new regulatory practice and strengthened our expertise in the energy and agriculture sectors. “While it’s pleasing to be named in The Lawyer 200 as one of the top five fastest growing law firms in the UK, our focus is always on the longer term and we are committed to re-investing in new talent, IT and the infrastructure we need to meet and exceed client expectations.

“We know that winning and retaining talent is at the heart of a successful law firm and are really proud of the positive, stand-out team culture we have created which last year achieved national recognition in ‘Best companies to work for’ with Clarion becoming the highest ranked law firm in the UK. While winning this type of accolade is always gratifying, seeing the commitment of the team coming through to support clients in one of the most difficult years any of us are ever likely to face, is the real success. The team quickly adapted to remote working, ensuring that expert, trusted advice was on hand as many clients struggled with a fast-changing situation.

“As restrictions in the UK start to ease, we are all hoping for a less stressful 2021 across all sectors with new opportunities emerging as the economy recovers. I would like to thank our fantastic team and clients for their continued loyalty.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .