A new marketing and lobbying unit aimed primarily at barristers is being set up by Shandwick Consultants.
The Legal Affairs Unit, which opens on 19 June, will be headed by Jon McLeod, who is currently account director at Westminster Strategy where he handles media relations for the Bar Council.
McLeod said the unit would offer a combination of public affairs and PR advice. “Quite often people, such as those in commercial chambers, are interested in getting ahead of the game in terms of new legislation. This kind of advice can be used as cutting-edge marketing.”
He said the unit would focus mainly on the Bar, which he described as “fairly virgin soil in terms of marketing” and would also look to develop links with City firms.
He refused to comment on whether Shandwick was preparing to pitch for the Bar Council contract, which comes up for tender this time next year.
Colin Byrne, managing director of Shandwick Public Affairs, a division of Shandwick Consultants, said: “We see an awful lot of potential in both working with law firms on client issues and helping legal bodies with their own public affairs work, particularly in relation to the new Labour government. Jon has the right experience and contacts and will be a great asset to our agency.”
