Names no more

Two headlines announcing separate stories in yesterday morning’s newspapers reported the “end of an era” in the Scottish legal profession (one apparently prompted by our own statement). The announcement that Ross Harper was to cease trading received widespread media attention, much of it lamenting the loss of such a well known name after more than 50 years, along with all the possible implications of the firm’s financial circumstances. And the business pages reported the removal of the McGrigors name – in existence for 300 years – from the firm’s offices following the conclusion of its merger with Pinsent Masons.

Different firms, very different circumstances. But both cases are evidence of the ever changing legal services market place, and the need for solicitors to adapt to that shifting landscape. Inevitably, the challenges will be greater for some than others. But solicitors are renowned for resilience, their focus firmly on providing the best possible service to their clients.

And the Society is committed to doing all we can to support members. In the case of Ross Harper, employed solicitors and trainees caught up in these events were offered and have taken up the kind of expert advice they might expect from their professional body, and perhaps been surprised also by the more pastoral care provided and in some cases taken. And the same support is available to other members experiencing the consequences of the perfect storm of the challenges of the economy and the reform of the legal market. I often say we don’t have all of the answers, but at least understanding all of the concerns would take us a good way to constantly improving what we offer.

Also currently attracting attention – not least due to the McGrigors tie-up with Pinsent Masons and with another merger announced today between Lindsays and Shield & Kyd – is restructuring, one of the key issues to be discussed during the Society’s summer roadshow. The theme of the series of events around the country is how to respond positively to changes in the marketplace, with speakers focusing on restructuring and repositioning firms in response to the economic downturn, changing consumer demand and the introduction of alternative business structures. In offering support to our members, other sessions will look at understanding clients and marketing legal services.

As the roadshow will hear, adaptability is likely to prove as valuable as any other workplace skill in the coming era of delivering legal services, with all the opportunities and challenges it presents.