Here are a few of the things some of our Connect2Law members say about us.
Ralph Donner, Partner, Feld McKay & Donner Solicitors, Rochdale
It has been valuable to me and my partners to be able to refer clients with confidence where we are unable to cater for their needs. Feedback from our clients has always been positive. The free Connect2Law seminars have been useful and informative such that I now attend all those relevant to my work. The CPD points are a bonus. My partners and I have used, and valued, the facility to take a second opinion on issues that have troubled us from time to time. Every enquiry made under the scheme has brought a prompt and effective response. There is no doubt that this firm has gained from our membership. We intend now to explore the "CostController" scheme as we are sure that there are savings to be made here.
Martin Wragg, Managing Partner, Pricketts Solicitors, Stockport
We first joined Connect2Law as a means of increasing the range of specialist services that we were able to offer our existing clients, and also as a means of generating a degree of goodwill within the communities local to our offices by offering prospective clients a solution to their problems, when we and other local solicitors could not provide the expertise that their problems required. That approach also had the beneficial side-effect of generating referral fees! The approach also suited our clients, and the feedback that we have received has always been positive.
As we have become more involved in the scheme, we have come to appreciate the range of other benefits available to members of the scheme. We have sought advice on issues ancillary to transactions we are undertaking (planning matters and tax advice); have used the hub as a "sounding board" in complex litigation; have found firms within Connect2Law which can deal with work that neither the hub nor ourselves undertake; have utilised the continuing education seminars provided by the hub and have found them practical and focussed towards the needs of the smaller practice; and we have recently benefited from a review by "CostController" of some of our suppliers.
We regard all of the above as adding value to our practice, and membership of Connect2Law provides us with backup that cannot be easily found elsewhere.
David Hayhurst, Partner, 174 Law Solicitors
We have been very impressed with our membership of the Connect2Law network. CPD seminars have been excellent and the Annual Conference was most useful and thought provoking. All partners in the firm will be encouraged to attend the next conference. We now have a back up service which we find invaluable, and with "add on" benefits, such as Professional Indemnity Insurance arrangements, we can begin to create real savings for the firm.
Shefali Talukdar, Partner, Clough & Willis
We joined the Connect2Law scheme unsure of how much benefit we could obtain from it, and how much we could give back. I would urge anyone in that situation to at least try it, it is free and we have found the help, advice and CostController invaluable in running our practise. The management seminars run by Connect2Law and the freely given advice by the team at the hub are of great benefit. I found the first Conference of Connect2Law firms, held this year, to be full of opportunity to meet and talk to like firms and the team who were nothing but helpful. I see in the future the umbrella of Connect2Law becoming an invaluable tool to ensure that high street and small regional firms can continue to deliver legal services to their clients.
Peter Bates, Partner, Bannister Bates, Morecambe
I saw Connect2Law as another way of reducing the pressure of being a small practice. The ability to pick up a phone to discuss any area of law has many attractions as does the ability to pass a client to a specialist lawyer. Receiving a fee share, although welcome, was not particularly important in our decision to join Connect2Law
Adrian Berkeley, Principal, Berkeley Solicitors, Manchester
Berkeley Solicitors were one of the first to see the advantages of joining up with the Connect2Law scheme. It has provided us with a good source of colleagues to discuss ideas with, together with regular huge savings in our running costs. The benefits are clear and there is absolutely no downside. Joining Connect2Law was one of my better business decisions.
Martin Turner, Partner, Brown & Murray, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
A high street firm should concentrate on what it can safely and profitably do. The hub firm provides invaluable backing for us as they have lawyers with expertise that we lack, and they remove the worry that if we tell a client to go elsewhere we might lose that client forever. We get a fee share and a choice as to whether we lead the case with their support or they act for our clients direct. In either case, their aim is to help us to retain our clients. We have referred several matters to the hub and have found them to be professional and efficient. The feedback we have received from our clients is that they have been very satisfied.
Bernard McKenna, B.J.McKenna & Co. Solicitors, Stockport
Since joining the scheme, Connect2Law has not only proved profitable but has been a way of referring our clients to a firm that can deal with their needs, whilst still being able to maintain that client as a client of our firm. We have found the scheme to be very helpful in that way.
Robin Higham, Partner, O'Neill Patient, Stockport, Cheshire
We joined Connect2Law because we are sometimes asked to do work that we are not specialists in or to a timescale that we can’t meet.
We have used our hub firm on a number of occasions (for employment, company and intellectual property law), and on each occasion I have been pleased with their prompt response.
We have been to some of the free CPD training sessions which are a further attraction to us as, is being able to share and learn from the experiences of a much larger firm than ours about how they deal with management, HR, or professional issues.
All in all, we are pleased with the results of our participation in the scheme, and I have personally tried to get other firms to participate in it.
Glynis Mackie, Glynis Mackie Solicitors, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Unless you're a really big firm then there will always be areas of expertise that you can't offer your client, so I'm sure that more small to medium sized firms can really benefit from this. From my perspective, the scheme has enabled me to expand the areas of legal advice I can offer without having to employ more staff.
Jacqueline Emmerson, Emmersons Solicitors, Sunderland
Before I joined Connect2Law arranging business insurance was a very stressful process. With the Connect2Law scheme quotes are given immediately and most importantly, they are excellent value for money. I have saved thousands of pounds because of this and I know other firms have joined the scheme because of the savings I have made.
Ron Stone, Practice Consultant, Symes Bains Broomer Solicitors, Scunthorpe
Symes Bains Broomer has benefited in many ways from its membership of Connect2Law. Throughout our 110 year history we had been associated from time to time with other legal groupings. However, we found Connect2Law the first one to live up to all the promises it made.
Their training sessions and peer group meetings are first rate and are highly praised by all who attend them, whilst their legal buying group enables us to obtain lower prices and costs on many of our day-to-day purchases and services. Their referral scheme is second to none, meaning that we are now able to offer our commercial clients a far broader range of local specialist expertise and services than we had been able to previously, without the fear of them being 'poached'.
Guest Walker, York
Membership of Connect2Law has been a real asset to us - providing the help and support that is so vital to a small practice in these difficult times. The key to this has been the quality of the personal service that we've received and I can't speak highly enough about Kim, Margo and the team at Andrew Jacksons.
Janet Simpson, Simpson Sissons & Brooke Solicitors, Sheffield
Connect2Law is an excellent way of retaining clients by making it easy for them to obtain legal advice in areas of law that a member firm may not cover. They feel they are getting an added service as we make the referral and they simply have to wait for a call. We also know that they will get quality advice from the firm to whom the referral is made.
Vikram Manek, Principal, Walter Wilson Richmond, Harrow
May I commend you and your excellent team for the good work you are doing. We are pleased to have joined and you may rely on our continuing support.
Hussein Juma, Principal, Juma Law Practice, Harrow
It has worked very well for us. I have found all partners, solicitors and support staff very helpful at all times.
Emma Mitchell, Emery Johnson, Leicester
Emery Johnson is a medium sized niche law practice specialising in Family, Care & Criminal Law. We are delighted to be able to refer clients onto Connect2Law, for work that we do not undertake as a practice. We are safe in the knowledge that they will be passed to a similar specialist practice with standards as high as our own.
Trevor Moore, Trevor F Moore, Leicester
I have been a sole practitioner for almost 25 years. In the early days, it was easy to be a "general practitioner", and over the years I have built a large following of loyal Clients, who in turn recommend new Clients. The trend for specialisation is unavoidable. It is difficult to turn away business from long established Clients or from those who come highly recommended. There is great temptation to accept work outside the normal area of expertise, and this creates a significant risk to the practice.
The Connect2Law referral scheme means that I do not have to decline any Clients business, or stray into areas of law outside my "comfort zone". It enables me to temporarily or permanently delegate matters when my workload is excessive and I now take more holidays! I retain my Clients loyalty and after numerous referrals to the hub, I have received 100% positive feedback from clients. Connect2Law is a superb risk management tool.
Niall O'Neill, O'Neill Solicitors, Belfast
Connect2Law provides our practice with expertise in legal areas we do not cater for and accordingly enhances the range of legal services we can offer our client base. All referrals are dealt with professionally and expeditiously. Further, the client is retained by the practice and Connect2Law adds an extra dimension to our firm with no cost implications. In short, it is a great legal innovation.
Leandro Franchi, Franchi Law, Glasgow
Connect2Law has proved to be a great resource for our firm. We have a large and varied client base and Connect2Law has provided us with the opportunity to find solutions for our clients in areas where we lack particular specialist knowledge. Connect2Law is a valued extension of our client offering and provides our firm and our clients with access to the wide range of expert legal advice which Harper Macleod offers.
Alasdair Sampson, Alasdair Sampson, Glasgow
To me, as a sole practitioner with wide and very diverse clientele and contact networks, the Connect2Law Referral Scheme is already and will be an absolutely essential marketing and service delivery resource. It's tempting, of course, for the sole practitioner or small firm in such tough market conditions to have a bash at areas of work which they wouldn't normally take on. Big mistake in my view. I can now confidently refer on those jobs to Harper Macleod, earn a commission, keep a client and keep him happy, avoid an avoidable risk, and leave me time to concentrate on those areas in which I have expertise and in which there is still profitable work.
Julie Reynolds, Sole Practitioner, Kent
Connect2Law has been an extremely positive development for my practice. It's of great comfort to me to know that I can refer my clients for specialist advice that I have confidence in when they need advice outside of my area of expertise. I have received information and training that I would not have had access to otherwise and I have benefitted financially for referring those clients who are referred or who come back to me but whose problem is now outside my remit. As a sole practitioner running a niche practise it is very reassuring to know there is a team of experienced colleagues nearby. A win, win situation for all concerned.
Fairweathers Solicitors LLP, Kent
We find Connect2Law and our Partnership with TSP, straightforward and easy to use, allowing us to access quality expertise from outside of our practice areas efficiently and without fuss, confusion or delay. It is a highly effective and mutually beneficial referral scheme for both parties and, most importantly, for clients. We recommend it to other firms invited to join.
Andrew Stone, Managing Partner, Cooke Painter Ltd, Bristol
As a small firm of High Street solicitors, we have found Connect2Law very useful indeed. From time to time, work comes in which is too specialized (or esoteric?) for us to deal with. Connect2Law means that we are certain that our clients are being directed to a firm who can deal with their niche requirements and also means that we are sure we will not lose our clients to a competitor firm. In addition, we even receive a commission for our trouble! It really is a win-win setup from our point of view.
Stephen Foote, Partner, John Hodge & Co, Bristol
Connect2Law is a superb concept that has really worked for us. As a way of offering services to existing clients that may be outside our scope (and yet retain those clients), as a marketing exercise, as a way of making connections in the local legal community and as a way of saving money it makes total sense.
As active members of Connect 2 Law we can provide our clients with a complete service.
Our relationship with Veale Wasbrough Vizards means that when we make a referral we know that it is going to be acted upon swiftly and without any hassle to us or our client.
The courses that are offered are always well run, informative, are an easy way of collecting CPD points and a great way of meeting other practitioners. And they're free!
Joining Connect2Law was a very easy decision to make and one that has provided us with real benefits.
Steven Neasham, Partner, Neasham Lloyd, Bicester
We at Neasham Lloyd have been part of Connect to Law operated by Darbys since it started in this area and we have found it to have been a very positive experience. As a relatively small practice it allows us to offer our clients a wider range of legal services in those areas where we would not be expected to have the expertise. We have found that it allows us to offer a more rounded service to our clients, whether it be in areas of law that we do not specialise in, or certain aspects of a particular transaction where we need to give our clients more detailed advice.
We have always found Darbys to be extremely professional and efficient in responding to referrals and we feel that the whole experience strengthens not only the relationship with our clients but also with Darbys as professional colleagues. The feedback from our own clients is that they have been impressed that we have been able to offer them alternative advice, whilst at the same time, retaining them as a valued client of our Practice.
A Trethowans Connect2Law Member
Trethowans has provided legal services to Saint Gobain (including Jewsons) for many years. We have built up a firm business relationship over that period and know we can rely on Trethowans to do their utmost to protect our commercial interests. They are both friendly and helpful, providing a first class service.
Fiona Reid, Partner, Ascroft Whiteside, Blackpool
Ascroft Whiteside has been a member of the Connect2Law Scheme for a number of years now. Over the years, they have assisted our clients with areas of work we cannot handle and we are always assured that the clients remain Ascroft Whiteside clients. They have also assisted us greatly with cost cutting by helping us with telephone, DX and our Professional Indemnity Insurance. Connect2Law are always very helpful and reply promptly.
Eton Law, Luton
Thank you very much for sending me your extensive Programme of Seminars. As you know, I have always found it extremely useful to attend the events locally rather than travel to London, saving me time and expense. The events to date have been excellent and I am sure those highlighted in your new Programme will be equally relevant and delivered to the usual high standard. I must also thank you for following the seminars with lunch as it has been a great way to get to know the other members of the scheme - and actually feel part of a supported network.
M and K Solicitors, Luton
M and K Solicitors became Members of Connect2Law very early after the scheme was launched by Pictons LLP at the end of 2009. It has always been important to us to offer the very best advice to our clients and the referral system to Pictons LLP has been invaluable where our clients have needed support outside our areas of expertise. In sensitive matters , Rakhshinda has ensured the transition for the client from M and K to Pictons LLP has always been well supported and the service received from Pictons LLP has been excellent. We are very pleased to be part of Connect2Law.
Bendall Roberts, Ely
We are a strictly non-contentious practice with only three Fee Earners and have found the ability to refer many of our clients through Connect2Law to Tees has not only given us great comfort in knowing that their affairs will be looked after in an exemplary fashion but also enables us to satisfy the demands of our clients for legal services outside our areas of practice.
Foort Tayler Solicitors, Great Dunmow
We have found the Connect2Law referral service very beneficial. We are able to assist our clients by providing them with easy access to a far wider range of legal services than we would otherwise be able to offer.
Bruno Rimola, Partner, HPJV, Newport
Use of the Connect2Law Scheme is an effective way of plugging the gaps in service which your own firm cannot do, you are assured that you will not lose your client for further instruction. We at HPJV have found that the clients are happy that we are able to help them find a firm which is able to take on their case. The referral process is uncomplicated and the Connect2Law staff are very approachable in any situation.
Asif Abubaker, Kingswell Watts, Dewsbury
As a small firm dealing with only a few specialist areas the expertise that Chadwick Lawrence offer us under the Connect2Law scheme is invaluable and allows us to offer a holistic service to our clients.
Maroof Rafiq, Hansards Solicitors, Bradford
We have recently joined Connect2Law and it has allowed us to offer a much wider range of services to our clients. It has been particularly helpful to us to know that our clients will be looked after by Chadwick Lawrence as we would look after them ourselves.
Yvonne Painter, Caldicott Gallimore Solicitors, Leominster
I am happy to confirm we are delighted to be able to offer your service as a way of providing our regular clients with legal advice and assistance in areas we don't have any expertise, without losing them to local competition (who may also cover our areas of law)
You recently advised one of our clients, free of charge & although no legal help could be given at this stage, they were so happy with the advice that they bought me a bottle of wine for putting them in touch with you... Thanks
Tierney & Co, Rotherham
Quick and efficient service provided with integrity which means the firm’s clients get the service they require whilst we have no concerns about them being poached.
Garan Treharne, David W. Harris, Pontypridd
We have referred clients to Connect2Law on a number of occasions and have been very impressed by the excellent service. The referral process is straightforward and the feedback from clients has been extremely positive. The scheme works well for David W. Harris and the free CPD training has been a welcome bonus.
Mr Gurpreet Bhatia, Partner, Harbans Singh & Co Solicitors (HSC Solicitors), Birmingham
We have been working with Connect2Law for nearly 2 years now and have found their services very supportive to our practice, particularly with the changing climate we find in the Legal Profession. The services are extremely useful to us, covering with a whole host of areas including management which often we have limited time to deal with.
I would encourage firms to consider the services which are all free of cost and can only add value to the businesses of those who particpate.
Tara Olowu, Partner, A & A Law, London
We stated our practice in 2010 and looking back, joining Connect2Law has been one of our smartest decisions. We are able to focus on our main practice areas and refer our client to the scheme so that they have access to services we do not provide without fear of losing them. An added bonus is that clients have also been referred to us through the scheme. We have also attended training course organised by our Hub firm. All at no cost to us.
Carol Reimann, Martin Smith & Co, Borehamwood
I became involved with Connect2Law as Practice Manager with Blacklaws Davis. As a specialist family and mediation firm with high street premises we frequently received off the street enquiries relating to areas of law outside our chosen specialism. Rather than reception staff saying “I’m sorry we don’t do that type of work” we were able to give positive assistance and reassurance in sourcing the help the enquirer needed. As a specialist legal aid firm we received many referrals from other firms that did not have a legal aid franchise.
Having now acquired my own practice I have made contact with my local C2L hub host and already I have been able to refer clients who require specialist assistance and have been impressed with the assistance they have received as a result!
Anne Irwin, Partner, Cottrill Stone Lawless, Manchester
I cannot recommend Chris Flanagan and his team at CostController highly enough. Chris has provided us with invaluable help and support, both in terms of recommending suppliers and negotiating on our behalf. His most recent triumph was to achieve a huge saving for us on our DX renewal.
Peter Fowler, Peter J Fowler Solicitors, Dorset
As a small firm specialising in certain sectors we have for some time been looking for a larger firm to whom we could refer matters outside our remit with confidence.
Our link with Trethowans as the local contact for C2L has been excellent. Not only have our clients received good advice and service but the clients have been happy to return to us for areas of advice within our expertise.
We have not been influenced by any payment for referrals but good advice.
We have also been able to negotiate a reduction in our office stationery (from our existing supplier!) using the CostController scheme.
I would recommend C2L to firms similar to ours.
Somerville & Savage, Torquay
As a small but long-established High Street firm concentrating on residential property, probate and trust-related work, it has been a great advantage and comfort to us to be able to draw upon the experience and expertise of Michelmores as a Connect2Law hub firm, for guidance and advice upon matters where we feel we might be 'out of our depth'. We are able to refer clients with the confidence of knowing that they will be well looked after, while retaining their connections with us. We can thus provide our clients with a wider service without fear of losing them, whilst giving us the peace of mind that comes from the avoidance of 'dabbling'. There have been additional benefits such as seminars upon useful topics, with opportunities for discussion and to meet corresponding fee earners, and the opportunity for us to obtain discounted prices on the supply of goods and services. Altogether, our association has proved an entirely satisfactory and beneficial arrangement which I would recommend to any smaller firm in our situation.
Charles French & Co Solicitors, Truro
Just a quick note to say that I have signed up with Lockton for my firm’s PII this year. Other than a superb quote (which was around a third less than I paid last year!) the level of service has also been excellent and they were also the quickest by far to come back to me with a quote. This took a considerable amount of pressure off me compared to last year which was really quite unpleasant. I probably would not have known about Lockton if it was not for the seminar you organised earlier in the year so thank you very much for that.
