LEADING lawyers expressed disappointment that more of the city’s legal work is not being done by Liverpool firms, as part of a debate on how to better establish the region as a leading national force.
Partners from some of the city’s biggest law firms have begun a series of regular mini-conferences on how best to “sell our excellence�.
The first last week was chaired and organised by Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Paul Clark, a barrister at Exchange Chambers.
Delegates included Michael Kenworthy, city solicitor at Liverpool City Council; Donal Bannon, president of the Liverpool Law Society; Mike Taylor, chief executive at Business Liver- pool; and senior representatives from a range of Liverpool firms including Weightmans, DLA, DWF, Hill Dickinson, Silverbeck Rymer, Mace & Jones and EAD.
Cllr Clark praised the “progressive nature� of Liverpool’s legal profession – although it was agreed that there is still work to be done.
Michael Kenworthy said the city council spends around £2m on legal fees each year, but estimated over half is being spent outside Liverpool.
He said: “I want our work to go to Liverpool firms, but for the council a lot of it simply comes down to cost. There are some firms from outside Liverpool who simply offer more competitive rates.�
Charlie Jones, partner at Weightmans, said: “If you look around you see nothing but cranes and buildings going up. But it is disappointing the legal work relating to all these developments has not been done by Liverpool lawyers.
"We need to be better at selling our excellence. There is a perception that you need a big London firm to front large projects such as big ticket property developments. But this can be done in Liverpool. We need to work together to sell our excellence.�
Peter Jackson, managing partner at Hill Dickinson, said: “Any Merseyside-based commercial organisation can have all of its legal needs serviced from Liverpool.
“There are several large practices in Liverpool which are, in reality, regional, national and international organisations. If a particular discipline is required but not immediately available locally then it can be imported in, easily and flexibly and at no extra cost.
“Liverpool is a centre of legal excellence. Its university law courses are excellent and this flows directly through into the quality of the lawyers in Liverpool and associated with Liverpool firms.�
Commenting on the debate, Cllr Clark said: “It was a very progressive meeting and we had a positive discussion. We are all working towards the same goal, which is more jobs and prosperity for Liverpool.
“I was asked to organise this meeting to explore ways in which the Liverpool com- mercial legal sector can carry on being successful, but also make advances locally, nationally and internationally.
"I felt the meeting was an important event which will assist all the parties in moving forward.�