Why staying independent is important to Punch Robson ’ s partners
LAW
Local team – Punch Robson Solicitors partners ( left to right ) Jennifer Williamson , Elaine McLaine-Wood , John Wilkin and Katherine Eaton .
STATE OF
INDEPENDENCE
Why staying independent is important to Punch Robson ’ s partners
PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH WORDS : DAVE ROBSON
It ’ s been a trusted independent law firm since 1877 – and Punch Robson ’ s partners are keen for it to stay that way .
In an era where many law firms have merged or been bought out , ending decades of truly local provision , Punch Robson remains resolutely independent – a relatively small , Teesside-based firm that sees its size and locality as strengths .
And as Tees Business talks to managing partner Elaine McLaine-Wood , there ’ s a clear pride in Punch Robson ’ s local heritage – and a determination to keep giving Teesside ’ s businesses and families the highest standards of legal practice from an independent firm .
Elaine , of Darlington , came to Punch Robson in 2013 , having started her legal career at an independent firm in 2000 – a start that , she says , helped shape her view of how important a law firm ’ s independence is , especially as that operation subsequently went global .
She became Punch Robson ’ s managing partner in 2015 and now , from the firm ’ s Ingleby Barwick office , oversees a 40-strong team working in five key areas : litigation , company and commercial , residential conveyancing , family , wills probate and trusts .
She said : “ We ’ ve been independent since 1877 but we ’ re not your typical High Street practice – we offer specialisms in niche work , so it doesn ’ t compromise the different areas . We very much keep the expertise within the respective departments .
“ When other firms have merged or been acquired , we get clients coming to us from them because we put quality before quantity .
“ Also , if you ’ re with a national firm in Teesside charging the same fees as you ’ d pay in Birmingham , London or Manchester , that ’ s going to put clients off .
“ We ’ ve got our roots firmly in Teesside and we ’ re not going to pretend anything else . We act for clients locally and nationally , but we are also recognised and recommended by intermediaries who might service clients elsewhere .
“ Financial advisers and accountants also have that contact with us , and there are people in other countries who might have moved away but come back to us and we still work for .”
As well as Elaine , Punch Robson ’ s other partners are :
John Wilkin : Leicester University graduate John qualified as a solicitor with Punch Robson in 1992 and has a broad range of experience in civil / commercial litigation .
30 | Tees Business