BCM Law exists today because three lawyers had a vision, they wanted to run their own law firm. That’s obviously a huge step and they had never, until last year, felt the time was right. Leaving secure jobs to set up a small independent law firm, what could possibly go wrong?
They have come so far, they have even found time to have a video created so their clients can get a sense of them and the business they have created.
They were certainly experienced enough, James had been a solicitor for almost 30 years, Patrick for over 14 years and Sylvia had been in litigation for over 30 years. They took the decision and mobilised! During the hottest summer for years they spent most of their waking hours in full preparation mode. Their kitchens becoming operational headquarters where they hatched the plan to take over the legal world! Not quite, but in their kitchens, they set about mixing the ingredients of BCM Law.
Clearly, leaving the security of their existing jobs was a big consideration. It was a major concern to them that they were all giving up full time jobs for a leap in the dark without any guarantee of success. However, the excitement of setting up together proved to be greater than the worry of leaving behind a regular income and they were on their way.
James worked long and hard to draft the office manual which is the blueprint for running their business. It covers everything about running a law firm from regulation, to how their website should look, GDPR responsibilities to employee contracts, company ethos and beyond.
During this time, they were also looking for a home, happily they decided to move in to Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC) in August 2018. All this hard work culminated in them being officially authorised to practice on the 7th December 2019. They currently have three full time staff, a part time cashier and have recently given a local law student a legal internship.
They focus on motoring law, personal injury and employment law and are forging links with the wider legal community outside of those areas. This has proved beneficial to all parties involved generating more business for each of them.
‘Getting regulated and having a fully functional law firm is a brilliant start- now the real work begins! Already our expertise has been recognised by other solicitors who have called upon us to help them. Being in SBIC has been great for us, we had looked at several premises however I had always admired Merchants House and wanted an office there. (Merchants House is the other office space SBIC operate, it is situated in the centre of Stockport). I initially spoke to Liz but it was fully occupied and she mentioned the Mill (SBIC). We went to view it and immediately realised it was the place for us. In the future it is our intention to open a branch office though and will be looking at Merchants House!’ James, one of the Partners in BCM Law.
BCM Law have really thrown themselves into their business and have been very visible around the centre getting to know the other tenants and making use of the business support on offer.
Partner Patrick explained, ‘Since day one here our case load has grown month on month. SBIC is a bright, lively place to come to work. It has a “google” type feel to it. All the staff are brilliant, John was a big factor in us choosing the centre, he was very helpful and positive, in fact all the team have been very supportive’.
Due to the sensitive nature of some of their work we couldn’t get too many details from them, however, suffice to say some of their cases have had national media coverage! They have hardly had chance to draw breath, but they told me about their hopes and plans for the future.
They are committed to growing the business and they are very proud to have received many 5 star reviews from their clients. Their ethos is to be a dynamic, ethical and innovative law firm and they have made a strong start, they believe they are well on the way to achieving and surpassing this goal which means so much to them all. They are clearly going from strength to strength.
Sylvia told us, ‘Week on week we are becoming more established. We see that clearly, as one day we are working in the Magistrates Court, the next, the County Court or an Employment Tribunal. It is becoming ever more varied and we have just been instructed to appear in the Coroners Court, which is very important for us and a positive sign of a diversifying and growing business. It has been a wonderful journey so far and we are looking forward to the future.’