CORPORATE VISION / Issue 2 2018 41 , GilsonGray is amulti-awardwinning full-service lawfirmwith offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.We spoke to GlenGilson as we looked to find outmore about this exciting company. Qualified Lawyers with a Purpose. Opening its doors in 2014, Gilson Gray was the largest full-service law firm launch in the sector’s history. One of the fastest growing law firms in the UK, and a multi award winning business, the firm has been recognised as Law Firm of the Year twice along with many other accolades. Based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the firm offers accredited specialists and award- winning lawyers across every field of law. With a vision in mind, Glen outlines Gilson Gray’s overall mission and what strategies are in place for the firm to follow in order to reach its targets. He talks about how the firm undertakes new projects, and what steps the team take to ensure clients receive the best possible outcome. “Here at Gilson Gray, we want to be the best law firm in Scotland by using insightful and imaginative thinking, uniting people with our common purpose. “Crucial to our success, staff maintain a positive and progressive environment through openness, energy and responsibility that results in collaborative success. We have a litany of initiatives, processes and management aids that facilitate, encourage and police this. It is core to our culture.” Providing us with a brief overview of the industry, Glen tells us some common trends which the firm has seen in the legal sector, and how the practice has benefitted from them. “Interestingly, we are seeing a large amount of consolidation particularly to English parents. There are therefore increasingly fewer significant and independent Scottish firms left in the market. As such, parented firms attempt to replicate English margins, the cost point for clients using these Scottish branches is being driven up, providing opportunities for domestic, sufficiently scaled operations, such as ourselves.” Operating within the ever evolving legal market, the practice has had to employ certain techniques in order to stay ahead of advances within the industry. Ensuring competitors do not get a head start, Glen tells us about the purposely designed model which has become a vital factor in the firm’s success. “Firstly, we deliberately designed our model from launch to be able to produce higher margins than the traditionalistic legal model. We can then pass this margin back to our client, creating more competitive feeing levels to our competitors. It is a win – win. Also, we have focused strongly on culture.” Regarding the internal culture within Gilson Gray, Glen comments on what he does to ensure that his staff are always in the best possible position to answer queries which clients may have, as well as dealing with potential issues which may arise. “Essentially, our purpose helps convey our cultural ambitions; to continually challenge the conventional by thinking beyond the obvious and forging genuine connections. “Furthermore, we have invested incredible time and effort in defining with our staff and partners what the Best Firm in Scotland looks like. We have agreed a multitude of behaviours and clear brand values that are intrinsic to our appraisals, rewards and management of the business. In doing this and adopting a zero-tolerance approach, we ensure that staff are best equipped to take care of our clients.” Gilson Gray’s culture what helps the firm separate itself out from its competitors, with the associated benefit for clients is best summarised through its manifesto. Glen summarises the philosophy of staff which helps it succeed. “We are translators. We are guides. We are sympathisers. We are counsellors. We are protagonists. Because you never just need a lawyer. We don’t only look at your specific legal requirement. We look at how it impacts your bigger picture, because if we don’t understand you, how can we offer the best advice? “There are too many companies who operate entirely on 1801CV20 traditions, who exist purely to make financial gains, or to simply booster egos. Nothing else, and no-one else, matters. There are only a few that listen. There are only a few that take the time to understand. There are only a few that exist to help you. We are the few. “Gilson Gray has risen to be one of Scotland’s most prominent law firms. And we have done this by being different. The firm is different in many ways; Different people, Different approach, Different results. Walk a new path and we will be by your side. “Essentially, we set up the firm to provide an alternative more attractive option for clients. A more humanised and transparently costed service that clients explained they wanted.” In his concluding comments, Glen looks forward to Gilson Gray achieving its vision and the team will continue to work incredibly hard to make the law firm the success it deserves to be. “Ultimately, our stated Vision of being the Best Law Firm in Scotland is our goal and is built into every aspect of how we are planning for the future.” Company: Gilson Gray LLP Contact: Vanessa Kennedy Contact Email:
[email protected] Address: 29 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BW, UK Phone: 01312854790 Website: www.gilsongray.co.uk