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Our expertise
We are a team of more than 500 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to unicorns and non-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition.
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International Offices
gunnercooke has 12 offices globally including the UK, Scotland, US, Germany and CEE, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover China and Hong Kong, Spain, France, Italy, Brazil and Portugal. Our team has experience working across 101 different countries, speaking 30 languages and are dual-qualified in 15 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
- Our story
Our story
gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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It’s been 1826 days, 260 weeks or 5 years since I started at gunnercooke – so where’s that time gone?!
Most new jobs are a step into the unknown, but moving from an employed role into a self-employed role had a few well-meaning friends taking a sharp intake of breath, with people focussing on the risks of such a step.
Don’t get me wrong, I had a great grounding learning my trade at traditional law firms, built some magical memories and enjoyed some fantastic relationships which still endure today.
However, personally I had reached a point where what I had previously viewed as an environment supporting my ambitions started to feel like it was thwarting them and I was lacking the freedom to develop my business in the way I wanted to.
The beauty of the gunnercooke model was I was supported from day 1 to build my business (guilt-free and chargeable hours target free) in the way I felt best suited my clients at my own pace which was absolutely crucial given my life but not necessarily my sleep was about to be enriched by a second child!
From week one (pre COVID if anyone can remember…) my working life was simplified, and I could help with the school run or go for a run without being concerned about what others would think if I wasn’t in front of a screen at the “expected” times. The overwhelmingly positive reception that my LinkedIn feed received on the day I announced my move (which I was informed at the time had given gunnercooke the highest number of social media interactions on LinkedIn) was a great initial boost and I haven’t looked back since.
One thing I hadn’t fully accounted for when I took the step was the support I would receive from our support team, the leadership team and my pensions and wider lawyer colleagues to ensure working life continued to be fun and my business could continue to grow.
I’m still working on some old habits which focus on number of hours worked rather than quality of hours worked but the nudges from the firm to enhance our overall life through webinars and inspiring speakers at our annual symposiums is refreshing.
This type of model isn’t for every lawyer because everyone is wired differently, have different ingrained beliefs and personalities and long may that be the case. There is also no guarantee of success (in this role or with any other firm) and I truly believe luck plays a huge part in people achieving what society views as “success” and I definitely believe I’ve had my fair share of luck as well as a very supportive family.
However, I personally am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to put the needs of my life, my family and my clients first rather working year after year through the lens of senior management’s annual updated definition of what success meant, which had very little connection with what it meant for me.
I don’t know what the next 5 years will bring (if you do, please drop me a line) but whatever happens my working life will be on my terms and that’s great by me!