Liverpool-based law firm CEL Solicitors has appointed a new Head of Legal Standards and Compliance Officer for Legal Practice, as the company eyes up further growth.
Andy London has joined the civil litigation specialist to take on both roles, focusing on maintaining high standards across the firm and helping to drive staff development.
His role will see him act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of industry body the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), ensuring that the relevant structures and procedures are in place as the company continues to grow.
With more than 16 years’ experience in the legal industry, Andy will also work closely with staff to share his skills and support them in achieving their career goals.
Andy, who has previously worked at Hill Dickinson and Keoghs, said: “I qualified as a solicitor fairly late on in my career, after many years of working as a paralegal and a claims handler, but I firmly believe that the route into the industry – or indeed the timing – should not matter when it comes to being an excellent legal professional.
“I was drawn to CEL Solicitors because of its very different approach to training and its ‘non-traditional’ culture – there aren’t many law firms with bars and think swings in the office!
“I’m incredibly passionate about offering the right level of support and training in the workplace, something that the firm’s directors had in common with me. It’s vital to teach people how to do a job – and do it well.
“If you’re a team leader, your focus should be on bringing your team members on and helping them move up and get to where they want to be.
“As well as ensuring the company is compliant with all industry standards at all times, my focus will also be sharing my experience – the good and the bad – to help develop quality solicitors and paralegals for the future and building on what is already an extremely talented and cohesive team.”
Located at 20 Chapel Street in Liverpool, CEL Solicitors works with clients across the country, focusing on claims relating to housing disrepair; Japanese knotweed; data breach; financial mis-selling; fraud prevention; and business interruption.
The firm is currently finalising plans to take space on the sixth floor of the building, paving the way to hire a further 120 new team members over the next two years.
Jessica Hampson, owner and director at CEL Solicitors, said: “During the last four years, we’ve grown exponentially and we’re not slowing down any time soon, so Andy’s role is essential to ensure that, as we get bigger, we maintain our exceptionally high standards right across the company.
“Our People Before Profits ethos is non-negotiable and is something that we will remain intact regardless of how much more office space we take or people we recruit.
“Andy’s passion for developing fresh talent is infectious and was something that we were instantly drawn to – we can’t wait to see how he takes forward our team.”
For further information about working at CEL Solicitors, check out our careers and opportunities page here.
