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HALF A TON FOR BOWER BAILEY
Regional law firm Bower Bailey is on the brink of celebrating its 50th year in business . The Swindon office has been a significant part of the firm ’ s story as it continues to develop its range of professional skills and services with an expert , dedicated team .
To mark the 50-year milestone , The Business Exchange caught up with Senior Partner Simon Smith and Partner James Cleveland from the Swindon branch to find out about the past , present and the future of Bower Bailey .
Tell us a little about the history of the firm . SS : The Oxford office was founded by David Bower in 1973 . I launched the Swindon office in 1985 some 38 years ago . It ’ s been a real privilege to be working in such a successful law firm in Swindon during this time . Swindon is a fantastic place to work with a vibrant business community which has proved resilient to the many turbulent times and challenges we have faced over four decades .
Is the firm still the same today as it was 50 years ago ? JC : Our firm is built on strong foundations of commitment to client objectives , accessibility to clients and professionalism , and we are committed to building on those foundations for the future . While we are always open to new ideas and strategies , it is important to us that we are firmly committed to the principles and values that have made us successful so far .
How has Bower Bailey developed over the years ? SS : The firm has certainly grown since 1973 . Now , we have four offices across Banbury , Swindon , Oxford and Witney . We have a total of 36 partners from 1st June and 140 employees covering a whole range of legal services for both individuals and businesses . Swindon is the second largest office in terms of headcount .
How much interaction is there between the four offices ? JC : We place a strong emphasis on maintaining a collegiate relationship between our four offices . Our teams work together effectively and efficiently to share knowledge and expertise where required . All of our teams and offices have their own identity and lawyers and staff are encouraged to be innovative and work in the way that best serves their clients ’ needs .
Has your client base remained steady over the years ? SS : We have been very fortunate to have developed wonderful relationships with our clients in Swindon and Wiltshire which have stood the test of time . There have been numerous excellent contacts and friendships which have been forged over the years . I wouldn ’ t be able to name check them all . We look forward to generating more connections and networks in the future as younger legal talent drives the firm forward .
This year Bower Bailey will be celebrating its 50th year which is quite an achievement and an historic milestone . To what do you attribute your success ? SS : We have been extremely fortunate to have worked with amazing clients over the years who thankfully have returned to use our legal expertise . We have a diverse client base which has undoubtedly attributed to our longevity and success . We adopt a direct and pragmatic approach to legal services in order to resolve our clients ’ issues which has always been appreciated .
I can ’ t pay tribute enough to our clients but also our ambitious teams in our Swindon office . Every member of the firm is highly valued . They are all on board with our core values and we have succeeded and managed to attract and retain the right talent over the years . Our Solicitors and Legal Executives undoubtedly have the legal insight but they are assisted by our brilliant support teams . We value teamwork at Bower Bailey and the different skill sets that all individuals bring .
Some of our team have been with us since the 1980s but thankfully our taste in fashion has changed a bit since then .
What does the future hold for Bower Bailey ? JC : Since I joined the firm in January , I have been focusing on developing new strategies for our business operations . This has included some internal structural changes , some recruitment and a review of our outreach to new clients and markets . Additionally , we have been expanding our teams to better serve our clients .
We have plans for further growth and expansion in the future . We are constantly evaluating new opportunities for expansion and seeking to develop new partnerships and collaborations with other businesses . Our goal is to continue growing our business while maintaining the standards of service that we are known for .
We are currently recruiting for a number of roles across our firm . We are always on the lookout for talented and passionate legal professionals who share our values and commitment to excellence . If you are interested in joining our team , please visit our website for more information on current vacancies and how to apply .
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Cambridge House , 4 College Court , Regent Circus , Swindon , Wiltshire SN1 1PJ
T : 01793 610466 F : 01793 511505 www . bowerbailey . co . uk
Bower & Bailey _ TBE _ Swindon _ 59x210mm _ Ad _ v3 . indd 1 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 06 / 11 / 2015 2023 08:239