A decade of impact: Rebecca Kelly on growth, freedom, and the gunnercooke journey 

Rebecca Kelly, Commercial & IT Partner, has been at gunnercooke for just over ten years and has spent those years building strong relationships and tight-knit networks, both within the firm and with clients across the country.   

She shares how the gunnercooke model has given her the freedom to develop her practice, built those strong and integral networks and what her plans are going forward.  

What are your memories of gunnercooke when you joined 10 years ago, and what has changed? 

My memories of gunnercooke are just how friendly and helpful everybody was when we joined. It was quite new, quite unique, a small team where everyone knew each other. It felt like a family, and we were all in it together. 

Everyone was so positive and encouraging. It was such a lovely place to work and a refreshing change from normal practice. 

Now, it’s much bigger, it’s evolved and gone global. You feel like you are part of something significant, and it’s great to have been on that journey. 

The original network I built is still solid. It’s grown but remains tight knit, which I enjoy. I think many people at gunnercooke feel the same. 

How has the gunnercooke model benefited you and your clients? 

Hugely. We don’t have to time record, and we’re not answerable to anyone about what’s profitable or not. We make those decisions ourselves based on what works best for our clients. 

I’ve been able to spend full days at client offices, none of which are near me in Leeds. That time gives me real insight into their businesses, which makes my advice more commercial and relevant. 

It also means I can spend time getting to know prospective clients without worrying about justifying it to anyone. You focus on what works for them, not just the law firm. 

Clients respect that I’ve taken the risk of setting up as a consultant, they see me as an entrepreneur, a businessperson like them. That gives my advice extra credibility. 

Has gunnercooke brought any unexpected opportunities or new connections? 

Absolutely. I’ve met so many people I’ve gone on to work with, both within and outside the firm. I’ve been to Wimbledon, attended charity balls, and bid on things in auctions I’d never normally take part in, and had a lot of fun doing it! 

Those events often lead to friendships and work. gunnercooke has introduced me to opportunities I never thought I’d have. It’s been genuinely transformative, even allowing me to explore business opportunities outside of legal practice. 

What are your ambitions for your practice over the next 10 years? 

I want to carry on as I am now, I’ve got retained clients who I work with monthly, acting as their external in-house lawyer. I love that role because I get under the skin of the business and know what I’m advising on. 

In some cases, I’ve been with the company longer than most of the board! Eventually, I’d like to pass on those client relationships to junior lawyers, and potentially bring new lawyers into gunnercooke, 

For now, I’m not planning to slow down. I’m proud of where my practice has grown and I want to maintain that. 

How has gunnercooke changed you as a lawyer? 

It’s made me much more commercial and practical — and definitely happier! 

I feel like a trusted advisor now, not just a lawyer. I can advise with the client’s commercial goals in mind, not just the legal side. That was Darryl’s vision for all of us, to become true trusted advisors, and I really feel I’ve achieved that. 

What’s your biggest motivation? 

To provide for my family, both now and in the future. I want to create memories with them, through travel and shared experiences. 

But I also want to be a respected lawyer, one that inspires others, and to be someone people admire and say, ‘She’s done incredible things.’ That’s a real driver for me. 

Which client/matter are you most proud of? 

That’s hard, I’ve got so many wonderful clients. Two stand out though: one has grown from a tiny team to a 1,000-person VC-backed business. I’ve been with them through multiple leadership changes and still advise them today. 

The other I’ve worked with for five years. Their senior leadership has changed too, but I’ve helped them get their legal documentation in order. If they ever chose to sell, they’d be in a great position, that’s something I’m really proud of. 

Have you had any unusual jobs before becoming a lawyer? 

Yes! I was a double-glazing salesperson for three weeks whilst I was in sixth form, and I was terrible at it! 

I’ve also worked at Texas Homecare, Miss Selfridge, Macro (the wholesalers), and I was a legal secretary. Having a variety of jobs allowed me to develop those important soft skills that have been so valuable as a lawyer. 

In what ways has the gunnercooke model equiped you to better navigate the ongoing changes in the legal industry? 

It gives you the freedom to choose your own training and specialisms. 

When GDPR legislation was published in 2018, I knew it would affect clients. I trained myself up, wrote my own documents, and rolled out privacy policies and cookie notices efficiently. 

That became incredibly profitable, 2018 was one of my best years until recently. If it wasn’t gunnercooke’s model, and the freedom it gives you, I wouldn’t have been able to pivot and pursue those opportunities. It’s something that most traditional firms simply don’t offer. 

What impact does a healthier work-life balance have on the service you provide? 

I’ve always believed a happy, positive lawyer is someone clients want to work with. I love the flexibility gunnercooke gives, I can travel with my family, recharge, and come back refreshed, and it’s evident in the quality of work I deliver. I always plan ahead of my travels, and my clients know when I return, I’ll be rejuvenated and full of fresh ideas.  

It also lets me be involved in my family’s life, I am a part of the school PTAs and local football teams. That flexibility enriches every part of your life, and that positivity rubs off on clients. 

You become someone people enjoy working with, and that makes a huge difference. 

You can read more about Rebecca, her practice and his work on our website here. 

For more information on life at gunnercooke or to speak to our team, visit our Join Us site.