‘External recognition is very important. It is one way of differentiating your firm’

Standing in for chair of the judging panel, Margo MacDonald MSP, Law Society of Scotland chief executive Lorna Jack welcomed the company and impressed on them the importance as never before of legal professionals striving for excellence, in large firms and small – not just in their strictly legal work, but also in their relationship with clients.

At a time of major evolution in legal services the leaders in the profession are those who generate a positive dynamic externally with clients, and within their workforce.

Given that, by definition, those present were already distinguished by taking these matters seriously there was nevertheless a great deal of animated conversation among the finalists and sharing of experience about how best to encapsulate that kind of effort – not only in a submission for the panel of judges but in general when trying to engage with prospective clients.

HBM Sayers is shortlisted in three award categories: Family Law Team, Litigation Team and Ellen Matthews is in the keenly contested Paralegal of the Year.

Louise Gallagher, on the HBM management board, said: “We’re quite new to the whole awards thing. However, we have learned that external recognition is very important. It is one way of differentiating your firm and getting noticed. Clients tell us that, especially when the award goes to a whole team.

“We’re not a big firm so it helps build confidence that we have the resources to deliver what the client expects. From what I observe, it is also very good for the staff. Of course, we think we are working well and effectively but public recognition does give us all a boost – even to be among the finalists.”

Matthews is a paralegal within the family law team. Family law has been a key area of growth for the firm, creating a wide-ranging practice with involvement in a number of high-profile and complex cases – one of which, Angela Roddie v  William Roddie, attracted international media attention.

Gallagher added: “Our paralegal staff are very experienced. Generally, they are the first point of contact with clients, so it is essential they have confidence in the paralegals – that they do more than processing documents and so on. They have tremendous knowledge in their own right.”

Despite the Roddie v Roddie headline-grabbing case, Siobhan Kelly, head of the family law team, said: “We have found a greater appetite to avoid litigation in divorce cases where possible in the current economic climate. However, we are instructed increasingly in unusual, complex and developing areas of law such as child relocation cases and cases that have involved the interaction of Scots law, ECHR and foreign law.”

Along with the expansion of the practice, Kelly is committed to the education of younger solicitors. “As well as being members of the Glasgow Bar Association and tutors on their professional competence course, the team participates in the Strathclyde Law Clinic run by Strathclyde University law students, and each summer we are joined by a number of law students from universities seeking work experience. That was the route that brought trainee Gillian Cairns to the team.”