Co-op buys in family law capability ahead of ABS conversion
The Co-operative is set to enter the family law market with the hire of a partner duo from London firm TV Edwards, including the firm’s managing partner Jenny Beck.
Eddie Ryan
The company has hired Beck, head of TV Edwards’ family practice, as well as family partner Christina Blacklaws and lawyer Chris May, who currently holds the role of head of business development and strategy.
The practice will be up and running from the middle of next year.
The Co-op has been open about its intentions to make use of the Legal Services Act and has been looking to grow the size of its in-house division, Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) (11 April 2011). It has also been ramping up its legal hiring at its headquarters in Bristol (10 October 2011).
CLS is set to convert to an ABS provided it gains a licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Its managing director Eddie Ryan said in a statement: “We’re working extremely hard with the Solicitors Regulation Authority in preparation for the introduction of ABS’s and we look forward to being able to provide a full range of legal services to our members and customers.”
TV Edwards, one of the UK’s largest legal aid firms, merged with Blacklaws Davis earlier this year.
Beck said: “The Co-operative is a trusted brand and will be a trusted adviser. In doing so, we will aim to secure access to justice for all at a time when public funded services are contracting.”
Christina Blacklaws said: “These are challenging times for both society and the legal profession, and our new range of services will address the very real need which exists as well as reaching out to those who do not currently access family legal services.”
CLS was launched in 2006 and employees more than 400 staff covering personal injury, will writing, probate and estate administration, conveyancing and employment.
Readers' comments (2)
Concerned Co-operator | 3-Nov-2011 3:14 pm
What was most interesting about the announcement was that Eddie Ryan didn't even think to tell the existing staff at CLS first, not even his management team. We all had to read about it first on the internet. Our new colleagues walking around the offices with no one knowing who they were. Brilliant stuff. Then Eddie realised that he made a bungle of this he had an e-mail sent to all staff saying that the story had been "leaked". He also provided a release of information that he had always intended to release to the business first. It is strange that this "leak" had a professional look to it with full attributed quotes and an interview with Christina. We may not all be paralegals working at CLS but we don't have the respect of the Managing Director.
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Anonymous | 7-Nov-2011 12:25 pm
thats a bit harsh don't you think?
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