Hopkins Legal Consulting
Improving organisational performance and growing
law firms is what I do – it’s in my DNA.
Hopkins Legal Consulting
Improving organisational performance and growing
law firms is what I do – it’s in my DNA.
Background
Having qualified as a solicitor in 1987, I spent the first part of my career as a claimant personal injury lawyer representing victims of workplace accidents across South Wales and the West Country.
Gradually I began to assume more responsibility for the non-legal aspects of growing and leading a law firm and my client work consumed less of my time until the point where I became focused solely on business leadership and management. This was the beginning of a successful 30 -year career working within law firms in a variety of senior management roles, including Managing Partner, Chief Executive and latterly Regional Director of five fantastic firms – Leo Abse and Cohen (South Wales), Warners LLP (Kent), Debenhams Ottaway LLP (Herts), B.P.Collins LLP (Bucks) and Ince PLC (UK).
Background
Having qualified as a solicitor in 1987, I spent the first part of my career as a claimant personal injury lawyer representing victims of workplace accidents across South Wales and the West Country.
Gradually I began to assume more responsibility for the non-legal aspects of growing and leading a law firm and my client work consumed less of my time until the point where I became focused solely on business leadership and management. This was the beginning of a successful 30 -year career working within law firms in a variety of senior management roles, including Managing Partner, Chief Executive and latterly Regional Director of five fantastic firms – Leo Abse and Cohen (South Wales), Warners LLP (Kent), Debenhams Ottaway LLP (Herts), B.P.Collins LLP (Bucks) and Ince PLC (UK).
Developing and nurturing firms and the people within them, and watching them thrive under my leadership and guidance, has been so rewarding and one of the key drivers for me wanting to offer consultancy to other firms.
In addition to my legal qualification, I have a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Level 7 ILM Law Firm Risk and Compliance and have recently achieved Fellow status of the Chartered Management Institute as recognition of my management experience. I am also a member of The Law Society National Board for Wales Membership Experience Advisory Group, where we help provide a voice for solicitors, drive excellence in the profession, safeguard the rule of law and to protect everyone's right to have access to justice.
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Developing and nurturing firms and the people within them, and watching them thrive under my leadership and guidance, has been so rewarding and one of the key drivers for me wanting to offer consultancy to other firms.
In addition to my legal qualification, I have a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Level 7 ILM Law Firm Risk and Compliance and have recently achieved Fellow status of the Chartered Management Institute as recognition of my management experience. I am now also a member of The Law Society National Board for Wales Membership Experience Advisory Group, a group set up to provide a voice for solicitors, drive excellence in the profession, safeguard the rule of law and protect everyone's right to have access to justice.
Request a call back
Bringing Value
Law firms are people businesses, and as such much of my consulting time is spent collaborating with partners and senior stakeholders, building consensus and commitment so that the partnership is rowing in the same direction towards an agreed vision.
Although law firms may offer similar services each firm has its own unique set of challenges. There is no “one size fits all” solution in my experience. Working in senior leadership roles at different firms, regional and international, small, and large, partnerships and AIM listed, allows me to add an expansive view. It is this depth of understanding and experience that enables me to provide sound advice and guidance to the legal firms I work with.
Bringing Value
Law firms are people businesses, and as such much of my consulting time is spent collaborating with partners and senior stakeholders, building consensus and commitment so that the partnership is rowing in the same direction towards an agreed vision.
Although law firms may offer similar services each firm has its own unique set of challenges. There is no “one size fits all” solution in my experience. Working in senior leadership roles at different firms, regional and international, small, and large, partnerships and AIM listed, allows me to add an expansive view. It is this depth of understanding and experience that enables me to provide sound advice and guidance to the legal firms I work with.
I do not feel there is a challenge that a Law firm faces that I have not been involved with at some point in my legal journey. With this experience in the locker, I help my clients navigate the strategic, leadership and management challenges their firms face in an increasingly competitive environment.
Whether it be a full- scale strategic review, a deep dive into an underperforming team, coaching and mentoring partners and Heads of Departments, achieving and/or maintaining QA gradings, compliance issues or day to day operational management tasks that firms do not have the time to deal with. These are all things I have spent a lifetime dealing with and can help you in running and safeguarding your business.
Request a call back
I do not feel there is a challenge that a Law firm faces that I have not been involved with at some point in my legal journey. With this experience in the locker, I help my clients navigate the strategic, leadership and management challenges their firms face in an increasingly competitive environment.
Whether it be a full- scale strategic review, a deep dive into an underperforming team, coaching and mentoring partners and Heads of Departments, achieving and/or maintaining QA gradings, compliance issues or day to day operational management tasks that firms do not have the time to deal with. These are all things I have spent a lifetime dealing with and can help you in running and safeguarding your business.
Request a call back
I am enormously proud of the business and leadership awards I've achieved along the journey, you can see on my CV as well as through third party endorsements, details of organisational improvement achieved under my stewardship.
I work on a fixed fee basis and fee quotes are never exceeded unless by express agreement with you. I aim for complete transparency; clients are in no doubt as to the overall cost and nasty cost surprises are an absolute no-no. That is guaranteed.
Please take time to browse my website where I have set out how I believe I can assist your firm with its growth plans.
Please get in touch to discuss how we can work together. I would be delighted to have an initial free and confidential chat as to how I may help.
I am enormously proud of the business and leadership awards I've achieved along the journey, you can see on my CV as well as through third party endorsements, details of organisational improvement achieved under my stewardship.
I work on a fixed fee basis and fee quotes are never exceeded unless by express agreement with you. I aim for complete transparency; clients are in no doubt as to the overall cost and nasty cost surprises are an absolute no-no. That is guaranteed.
Please take time to browse my website where I have set out how I believe I can assist your firm with its growth plans.
Please get in touch to discuss how we can work together. I would be delighted to have an initial free and confidential chat as to how I may help.
Testimonials
"Ian has been instrumental in introducing new structures and systems to the firm’s operations, providing support to help streamline our work. Ian brings with him a wealth of experience as part of a holistic offering that covers financial management and compliance responsibilities, and management and strategic insights."
Glyn Lloyd
Managing Partner at Newfields“Ian has been a vital consultant for Summit Law for over a year, playing a pivotal role in defining our values, vision, and strategy for the next five years. His added leadership has fostered improved communication, motivation, and engagement among our staff. Ian's adept prioritisation and accountability have driven our firm forward, while his transparent approach to fees instills trust. I wholeheartedly recommend Ian to any law firm looking to enhance their business operations.”
Jeremy Boyle
Managing Partner Summit Law LLPI read in the Lawyer magazine the account of your activities. I had begun to think that Leo Abse and Cohen had become moribund and would in the long run, inevitably decline. I can see your dynamism ensures this will not occur – and that gives me great pleasure.
Leo Abse
Former MP and Co-Founding Partner of Leo Abse and CohenI have worked with Ian as an adviser and management consultant for 8 years at Warners and then Debenhams Ottaway. He is a man of great integrity and great skill in delivering change in law firms. He is a practical, commercially focused individual, with a natural friendly open approach and strong people skills who quickly understands what needs to be done in the best interests of the firm, then delivers it by taking partners and staff with on the journey. I would strongly recommend him.
Keith Harper
Owner and Managing Director of Harper ProfessionalI have worked with Ian extensively over many years at three law firms. He uniquely blends experience, vision, drive, and determination together with strong management skills, inclusiveness, and collaboration. Together these attributes result in someone who is not only able to lead a business through complex change processes but also takes partners and staff with him on the journey. On a personal note, I always found Ian to be an absolute pleasure to work with, undoubtedly one of this world’s good guys.
Colin Morris
Managing Director Colin Morris & AssociatesI worked closely with Ian at Debenhams Ottaway during which time, Ian steered the firm through a great deal of change and success. Whilst having a strong understanding of the commercials and what drives progress in a modern law firm, Ian strongly believes in the importance of making the firm a great place to work. He is an ambassador for strong HR practices that really add value and was a pleasure to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend him.
Anita Wynne
Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Best Start Human ResourcesIan is a dynamic leader with a vast spectrum of law firm management expertise. Ian’s skill set traverses people management, business development, IT, and finance
Luke Tucker Harrison
Partner and Solicitor Advocate Keidan Harrison LLPIt was a pleasure working with Ian when he was Chief Executive at Debenhams Ottaway. Ian's leadership style is collaborative, supportive and inclusive. During his time at the firm, he guided us through a change in culture, making the firm and the partnership more united. He was also instrumental in raising the firm's profile externally with contacts, referrers and in legal directories.
Susan Glenholme
Managing Partner Debenhams Ottaway LLPI worked with Ian for over a year at Ince. He was extremely hard-working, supportive, and collaborative. We were responsible for implementing the Private Wealth strategy and budget that was agreed with the senior management team and, together, we were one of the few areas of the business to be successful in doing so over that second year ravaged by COVID. Ian was up against it with many operational and IT challenges, but he did a superb job in enabling the wider team to perform. He would be an asset to any organisation.
Nick Rucker
former Global Head of Private Wealth Ince plc