Modern Law Magazine Issue 69

What a great day at the Modern Law Conveyancing
Conference at the absolutely gorgeous setting of
Coombe Abbey.
I was honoured to have been asked to chair the
proceedings for the three panels during the
morning.
First up we had a session on discussing how to
build both a successful company and personal
brand. I was fortunate to be joined on stage by
Helen Burgess from Saltmarsh Marketing, Joanne
Debenham from Attwells Solicitors and Andrew
Twambley of InjuryLawyers4U. It was insightful to
find (coming from a man who has a Lego Avatar
on his social media posts) the different approaches
that the three guest speakers used social media
for. Andrew is course not involved in the Property
Industry (his company name is a hint towards
what he does involve himself in) but his unique
insight in to how using a larger budget than most
have access to and somewhat unique ways he
has approached building his company’s brand
was very interesting. The fact that he does not
use LinkedIn but Helen is a huge advocate of the
same for the clients she works with was a great
contrast. Contrary to that Joanne shared how her
firm have used TikTok to really go “viral” and get
their brand out into the market place coupled with
a laser focus on the type of Property client they
want to attract.
Next up was a discussion on what a customer
feels you’re giving them, not what you think you’re
giving them. I was lucky to be joined by Lisa Gray
from Rightmove to give us a glimpse into what her
Estate Agent clients think of the process, Saleem
Arif from Review Solicitors and Graham Wilkinson
from Trust Pilot. What was fascinating was that all
three concluded that the area in which Property
Lawyers could definitely improve is communication.
The industry does not do this well enough. Most
of the issues that appear on the review sites with
less than glowing reviews stem from the fact that
communication has not been to the satisfaction of
the client. The same appears to have come through
via Estate Agents too. Picking the phone up a little
more or getting back to emails a bit quicker would
make a great difference.
"
The area in which
Property Lawyers could
definitely improve is
communication
"
Finally, we wrapped up the morning session with
the current pressure points facing law firms. Glad to
have been joined by Shainul Kassam from Fortune
Law, Chris Bull from Edge International and Shaun
Jardine from Big Yellow Penguin. A large range of
topics we ran through during our hour together
including pricing for legal work (including my brief
tale of how I was glad we lost a potential client here
at Dutton Gregory because they found a quote
that was 12 pence cheaper), the pressure on a lot
of firms over cash (we have seen an awful large
number of firms go out of business sadly in the
past year) to the potential issues that face those
who work remotely but in different countries. The
fact that we can work anywhere in the world now
due to technology does not necessarily take into
account the compliance concerns that surround the
same. So much for law firms to consider in regards
to so many things that it was good to have an
open discussion regarding the pressure that we all
potentially face.
Coming off stage for a rest from presenting duties
I had an awesome lunch that was laid on and was
thrilled to meet Ollie Ollerton in person and was
chuffed to bits he signed his book for me. The
team at Modern Law outdid themselves yet again
on hosting one of the best events in the Property
Industry. Looking forward to the next one in 2025.
Paul Sams,
Dutton Gregory
31