People often ask me why I left my job with a bigger law firm to start Bayberry & Weir. The answer is simple. I wanted to create and run a business driven by values that were closer to my own. I was uncomfortable with the style of doing business in bigger law firms.
In a nutshell, I wanted to work in an environment driven by human based values (connection, understanding, transparency) rather than business based values. (profit first, efficiency, productivity)
I didn’t want to stay in what I felt was a dehumanising environment where everything was either black or white, with nothing in between.
A good legal system vs. great legal system?
In my opinion there is a distinct difference between a good legal system and a great legal system.
A good legal system takes into account what’s within the rules and what’s not.
A great legal system realises that its primary purpose is to serve the people. It takes the values, morals and ethics of its people into account, as well as the rules and strives to be better for both.
I prefer a great legal system, and come to work every day being the change I want to see in this industry.
The “no win, no pay” culture
Nowadays many law firms advertise a “no win, no pay” deal for clients. Conditions apply, of course, and there’s very strict selection criteria where only open and shut cases are accepted.
The problem with this approach is that some of the most important cases are not open and shut, however where one party is still in the right the legal system should recognise this.
But without legal representation that’s willing to stand by them, will they still reach this result?
Clients who find themselves in this situation need an experienced lawyer who is passionate and determined about following the case through to get a fair result. These clients need a lawyer who won’t just settle or allow themselves to be bullied by a bigger company or firm.
These cases light a fire and intrigue within me, and while some lawyers and firms protecting their reputation would advise against representing the client in these circumstances, being a partner at Bayberry & Weir I have the advantage of exercising a personal decision.
I have a track record in the legal industry of being prepared to take on the tougher cases that a “no win, no pay” firm won’t touch (provided that I feel it’s the right thing to do). I am not in pursuit of another notch in my belt to further my career in the law. Frankly, I don’t need it.
Why I like the tougher cases
I like cases that are not open and shut for many reasons. First of all, these are the cases that matter, the ones that define the law and add nuance, and often precedent, to our system.
Not too mention I feel confident when I get to know the client well during the initial consultation and in subsequent meetings. I get to hear the case from a human perspective as well as a legal one.
If I feel an emotional buy-in to the case and if the case ignites my passion, then I’ll take it on. I want to pursue what’s right and fair for cases that I genuinely care about.
The small firm advantage
As a partner in my own firm, I can say “yes” to the cases that whet my appetite for justice. I can pursue them wholeheartedly without having my puppet strings pulled by a higher up whose main concerns are the firm’s win record and squeezing billable hours out of the clients.
Starting my own small law firm has been one of the most satisfying career moves I’ve made. I can practise law in a human and humane way, letting values and morals drive me all the way.
What I’ve written above might sound like a risky way to do business, but in my opinion it’s what’s right, and what lights me up every day.
Knowing what I know now I would never trade this business, my clients, network or cases in for “safe”