Foot Anstey Targeting Growth After Mergers
Completing two mergers in two months in two counties demonstrates the determination of South West lawyers Foot Anstey’s ambition to become the premier full service law firm in the South West.
And being shortlisted for the national “Law Society Lexcel Award for Excellence in Practice Standards” is a sign that quality is not being compromised by expansion.
Foot Anstey has hammered its colours to the mast of delivering a high quality “buy local” option to individuals and businesses in the South West while also embracing government legal aid reform to continue its publicly funded legal services.
Unlike many of its competitors Foot Anstey believes its future lies in the South West and not Bristol and beyond.
This month’s strengthening of its Plymouth base through the merger with Serpell Eaton is followed in December by expansion into Cornwall through the merger with Truro based Hancock Caffin. This reflects Foot Anstey’s determination to improve both the expertise it can offer and geographical access to its services.
Further growth is anticipated next year and comes hard on the heels of a second office in Taunton and the announcement of its relocation from its Derry’s Cross base in early 2009 to a purpose built, landmark office at Sutton Harbour.
In addition to expanding its core business, individual and family services, the firm also launched its innovative conveyancing service “Move Forward” in Plymouth, established an employer focused HR law training programme and recruited David Turner from Bond Pearce to build a financial services litigation team in Exeter.
The firm has, year on year, climbed local business and national legal league tables. This economic expansion is matched by active participation in business and community events across the region, reflecting Foot Anstey’s commitment to the area where all its staff live and work. This year it has committed people and resources to supporting a range of charitable and business activities, including The Great South West Walk, Enterprising Plymouth, the South West Property Lunch Debate, The ROK Community Challenge in Exeter, The Taunton Deane Triathlon and the Somerset Cricket Board’s youth development programme.
Managing Partner Jane Lister has overseen the growth of the firm and puts Foot Anstey’s success down to a clear strategy. “Everyone within the firm understands what we are trying to achieve and supports the firm’s full service commitment.
“We want to demonstrate that a firm of our size can advise businesses and individuals, while also delivering quality publicly funded services. Everyone in the south west should expect to be able to access the specialist service they seek from within the region and our move into Cornwall is a key step in achieving this goal.
“Our success come from recruiting high calibre lawyers, developing new services, investing in IT systems and new office buildings expanding our geographical reach and never forgetting our clients are our number one focus”.
Published 05/10/2007
