National dispersed law firm Setfords Solicitors has opened offices in central London as it continues its expansion into the corporate and commercial market and goes on a recruitment drive.
The consultant-led firm, which has 158 lawyers across the country, has opened offices on Chancery Lane under the name Setfords London and is looking to recruit 20 corporate and commercial lawyers by November, the company’s 10-year anniversary.
Setfords was founded in Guildford in 2006 by Guy Setford as a traditional firm, going on to incorporate the dispersed model in 2009 when he was joined by his cousin Chris Setford. As joint CEOs they were one of the pioneers of the national dispersed law firm model.
The company has more than doubled its turnover in the past three years, with over £8 million forecast for this financial year, and the firm has seen a spike in new corporate and commercial business since January.
Chris Setford said: “The launch of a London office was always part of Setfords’ long term plan and with our corporate and commercial lawyers taking on new business and our plans for further growth, 2016 is the right time to open.”
“We are currently in discussions with a significant number of lawyers in the corporate and commercial sectors who have approached us about working as consultants – people who want to be empowered and earn more money, but also feel secure knowing they will have the support they need.”
Guy Setford added: “We have spent nearly 10 years refining our back-office operation and we are confident we have the largest and best consultant lawyer support team in the industry. It means we are able to provide an environment where great lawyers can come together to deliver their best work.”
Setfords Solicitors has over 50 people providing administrative, technical, marketing and PR support from its base in Guildford. The Setfords London offices, which have been secured on a 10-year lease, are staffed, and offer meeting rooms and hot-desking facilities.
The firm’s clients include the restaurant chains Bill’s and Côte, as well as Everyman Cinemas, which is planning to open six new sites in the next two years.
The consultant model has been growing in popularity in recent years and Guy Setford said Setfords’ approach was about giving lawyers back control.
He added: “We want our lawyers to be in charge of their own future and be able to provide a better, more personal service for their clients.”
Chris Setford said: “We set out to create a law firm that focuses on the many needs of lawyers who want a way of working that can be more fulfilling – a dynamic and flexible environment where they can be better rewarded and their clients better served. That is what we have achieved and we will continue to evolve.”
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