News
Darwin Gray Solicitors looks to maintain growth in 2010
Published January 2010
South Wales' solicitors Darwin Gray are looking forward to further success and growth in 2010 after extensive investment in their business this year.
Despite the recession, the commercial law firm took on three new partners in 2009, increasing their numbers from seven to 10 and 19 legal staff in total. This in turn prompted a move to new offices at Helmont House in Cardiff city centre in November.
Managing Partner Jason Smith explained that the expansion was always part of Darwin Gray’s strategy.
“We set out in our early days to be a partner-led firm because we believed it was the experience and expertise of those partners that attracted clients. That’s still very much the case and our growth in the seven years that we’ve been established has proven it to be a successful strategy.
“This year has been tough for everyone in business, including Darwin Gray. However we knew if the right people – big hitters in their fields – became available we had to take those opportunities to invest in the business for future growth. Recruiting high calibre partners has always been of fundamental importance to us and we’ve never compromised on that including during the tough times in 2009.
The latest to arrive is Chris Crane who came from RDP Solicitors in Newport where he was a partner and head of the company/commercial department. Earlier in 2009 employment law specialist Damian Phillips joined from Hugh James solicitors followed by Ian Herbert, also from Hugh James, where he was head of Commercial Litigation & Insolvency.
The move from Windsor Place to Helmont House, in Churchill Way, keeps Darwin Gray’s base in central Cardiff although the company is increasingly attracting work from right across South Wales and from London. In November, Darwin Gray was described as “the firm to watch” and “a force to be reckoned with” in the 2010 edition of Chambers guide to lawyers.
Jason Smith said: “Ultimately we’re judged on our performance and despite the state of the economy, the success we’ve continued to bring to our clients has enabled us to grow in 2009. We have also taken on some very highly respected partners in key sectors who will help us develop the business further. We’re now able to offer genuine expertise and experience in depth across the full spectrum of law that we deal with.
“Looking ahead I think the recovery is likely to be slow. It is going to be a while before we get back to stability and strong growth. In the short term we’ll continue to get the basics right; managing cashflow and costs. Our focus in 2010 will be on consolidating our growth to date.”
