This Is Tees Valley This Is Tees Valley - Issue 1 2020 | страница 75

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How digital is putting Jacksons Law
Firm at the head of the game
O
NE of Teesside's oldest law
firms has launched a legal
experts podcast series in its
latest initiative to set the pace
in the digital race.
Jacksons Law Firm, based in Stockton-
on-Tees, offers up-to-date advice in
the 15-minute online posts, plus client
interviews and examples of the more unusual
case studies on the subject being discussed.
No actors were hired for the filming.
Jacksons Law Firm used their own skilled
employees to share specialist expertise which
has become the hallmark of the Tees Valley’s
largest law firm, which has additional offices
in Newcastle and office space in Sunderland.
The podcasts #Whatsthelawpod are
being promoted on social media and the
firm’s website - and the reaction has been
positive. Series one features four episodes on
Planning, Property, People and Problems for
start-up businesses.
Once a throwaway line in a meeting,
the podcast concept has enthused younger
solicitors in the Preston Farm Industrial
Estate office who want to reach out to a new
audience and prove a Teesside law firm,
established in 1876, is adapting to the future.
Jane Armitage, managing partner at
Jacksons Law Firm, said: “We have looked at
how younger people, the business leaders of
the future, get their information. They don’t
want to come to a seminar and listen to a
talk for an hour. They want it on their mobile
devices as they are going to work, driving
around, cooking or exercising.
Leading the way -
Jane Armitage.
“They get so much information in a way
that suits them, so we are promoting them
on social media and having discussions
with marketing experts about how to get the
message out to a wider young audience.
“Marketing is hard for lawyers at the best
of times - we just want to get on with the day
job, but we are very open-minded. You have
to look at all these things and move with the
times because that is the only way Jacksons
will still be here in another 150 years’ time.”
Jacksons Law Firm’s recent substantial
growth, after significantly raising its profile
across the North-East, has enabled the firm
to diversify and employ more solicitors,
including specialists in the increasingly
complicated and ever-changing business and
property law.
Jane has just overseen the division of the
residential property department into two
new teams - new-build homes and bespoke
properties. The split allows lawyers to
Jacksons is the largest law
firm in the Tees Valley.
concentrate on their specialist fields.
Jane explained: “General practice gets
more and more difficult. Being an expert
in everything is just not possible anymore.
With more clients, we have been able to
increase our specialisms, such as intellectual
property and digital law. Specialism is key to
a successful law firm.”
The company has also established
a reputation for creating a working
environment and culture which has adapted
to modern life.
Jane said Jacksons has encouraged flexible
working and has adapted to help employees
whose personal circumstances require part-
time hours.
And she should know. Educated in Bristol,
her husband’s job brought her to Teesside
and 15 years ago Jane joined Jacksons in a
part-time role and gradually increased her
hours and commitment as her children got
older.
“It worked very well for both myself and
the firm”, she recalled. “I had a point to
prove, we were very flexible with each other
and I made sure I got the work/life balance
right. We have done that with a lot of our
solicitors since. It is something I have fought
passionately for because it worked for me.
“Flexible working hours have given us a
much larger pool of high-quality Teesside
lawyers that might not otherwise have been
available.
“We are always open to discussions on
part-time work because it works for us and I
can advise them at any time."
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