Clarion in profile
IN a tough economic climate, Clarion is continuing to buck the trend, distinguishing itself as one of the region’s fast-growing and most dynamic law firms.
Serving larger corporates, entrepreneurs and the private client, Clarion has differentiated itself in a competitive and established market place, growing to a 100 strong team, including 17 partners. In its financial results for 2010, it once again showed a solid performance with turnover remaining steady at around £6m. So far this financial year, the firm is performing well and experiencing 15% growth.
Clarion has built a strong reputation, carving out a niche for itself as a modern, innovative and results driven mid tier firm. Led by Mark Burns,
Roger Hutton and Richard Moran the team of entrepreneurial advisers who were responsible for the MBO from McCormicks in 2007, the firm prides itself on understanding the issues facing businesses. Clarion has won ten new blue chip clients in the last year alone.
With growth across the firm during 2011, the corporate team performed particularly strongly, advising on high profile cases including the sale of leading piling and foundation specialists, the sale of IT business Boxing Orange; and the MBO of part of Altitude Group Plc. The private client team also handled probate for Jimi Heselden’s estate. The corporate recovery team’s work included the administration and subsequent sale of Overfinch Bespoke Vehicles Limited; and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Clarion was also recently selected by leading marketing services provider, Communisis, as one of just four Yorkshire firms appointed to its newly formed panel of lawyers.
Mark Burns, managing partner, says: “There’s no doubt that we’re a very dynamic and energetic team, particularly when compared with some of the older firms. We’ve been fortunate that a straight-forward, business-like approach has been well-received in Yorkshire. With budgets under pressure, there has been an opportunity for us to win business by providing realistic, commercial solutions.
“We’ve built up an exceptional team of committed, experienced lawyers, able to deliver a full range of legal expertise, but with a genuine desire to understand clients’ real issues and objectives rather than purely serving their immediate needs.”
Continuing to invest in growth, the firm has made almost 30 appointments in the last 12 months including the recruitment of Sarah Tahamtani as partner in employment, Amanda Lee as partner in private client and Rachel Neems who joins as senior consultant in the corporate team.
Clarion is a firm that is constantly looking ahead for new opportunities – whether it’s the development of new service lines, the opening of new offices or acquisitions, it is a firm with vision. In May, it announced another major milestone in its development, agreeing a deal to relocate to 15,000sq ft offices in Elizabeth House next April. The firm has further exciting expansion plans for the year ahead.
The Clarion approach focuses on integrity and professionalism. Whether working with businesses or individuals, the Clarion team can be relied on as trusted advisers, bringing their own unique clarity and energy to every case.
