As MD Law approaches the ten-year mark in business, the Sheffield-based firm reflects on its growth from a relatively small insolvency team to a prominent player in commercial litigation and corporate law. Last month, unLTD paid the partners a visit to delve into the company’s origins, growth and future aspirations, discussing their distinctive approach and client-focused ethos.
Origins and Early Challenges
MD Law was founded by Matthew Dixon, Neil Kelly and Carl Jones, who left their positions at HLW Keeble Hawson in 2015. “We were essentially the insolvency team within the Sheffield office of that firm,” recalls Matthew, “and we all had a background in commercial litigation too, so we started building on those elements.”
They moved to their current premises – the striking Grade-II listed Broom Hall house in S10 – and got to work on their vision of creating a streamlined, client-centred practice.
“We tried to run everything as slim as we could,” Neil adds. “We trimmed off all the fat and excess you have in a big firm, making it a really streamlined organisation with cloud-based computing, ready for remote working before we knew we needed to be.”
The early days were strenuous but rewarding. They launched themselves into the challenge at hand, taking care of regulatory matters and IT needs themselves, laying solid foundations for the future. “It was about being in charge of our own destiny,” says Neil.
Building a Firm: Key Milestones
One of the first significant milestones was turning on the computers and receiving their first job on the first day. The team gradually expanded, bringing in new members and trainees – the latter being an important step for the company’s self-sufficiency moving forward. “Starting to train our own staff was a big step,” notes Neil. “We wanted to develop a team that could grow with us.”
Fellow partner Kelly Wharin joined in 2018 with over a decade of litigation experience, marking the beginning of significant growth for the firm. This expansion continued in 2021 with the establishment of a corporate department led by James Burdekin. “That was a key milestone for us, expanding from our original work area of insolvency and litigation to adding the corporate team,” Neil highlights. This move signalled a new phase of growth, allowing MD Law to offer a broader range of services.
Ethos and Client Relationships
MD Law’s ethos has always been about delivering high-quality work while understanding their clients’ businesses. “We want to be flexible so that we can do work we might have previously had to turn away; and when we get that work, we ensure we do a good job – that’s the most straightforward way to build a good reputation,” Neil explains.
Building trust and giving face time to clients has been paramount to offering a personalised, thorough service. “It’s all based upon personal relationships and relationships with other parties we’ve done work with. A key thing for us is trust – knowing you’re going to do what you say you’ll do for the price you say you’ll do it,” Matthew emphasises.
Expertise and Specialisations
By choosing MD Law, you’re guaranteed to have a partner working on your case, and each brings their own unique areas of expertise, contributing to a diverse offering. Neil, who qualified in 2008, specialises in contentious and non-contentious insolvency, shareholder disputes and construction work. James, on the other hand, focuses on corporate transactions, particularly Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs), which have grown hugely in popularity over recent years.
Carl, who qualified in 2013, specialises almost exclusively in contentious insolvency and also appears as a part-time judge. Kelly qualified in 2007 and is a partner in the Dispute Resolution team, which leaves Matthew to focus on overall management while straddling both insolvency and litigation work.
Training and Development
MD Law prides itself on training and retaining its staff, a commitment seen as a key factor in the firm’s future growth “We’ve had five trainees qualify with us in the last 10 years and offered all five roles as newly-qualified solicitors,” Matthew proudly notes. “It’s about creating an environment where they want to stay and build their careers.”
Industry Trends and Adaptations
The legal industry has seen significant changes over the years, and MD Law has adapted accordingly. The rise of litigation funders, for instance, has impacted how insolvency claims are pursued. “We’ve seen more claims pursued out of insolvencies due to a bigger market of people willing to pay for them,” Matthew explains.
The consolidation of practices in the insolvency market has also been notable. “Our client pool is smaller but consists of bigger firms,” adds Neil. This trend reflects a broader shift in the legal market, with fewer mid-tier firms or High Street law firms and more large practices.
“It’s not necessarily a challenge but just how the market is. We took that step early and were doing the right thing at the right time in that respect.”
Future Vision
Looking ahead, MD Law aims to continue moving forward in its aim to becoming a full-service commercial practice. “We’ve taken big steps towards that with our commercial property offering, which is being looked after by Howard Wade, who joined us a consultant in 2022,” Neil shares.
They also putting plans in motion to add employment and HR services to their portfolio while building up the expertise of their junior and senior staff.
Rounding off the interview, we touch upon their commitment to supporting local businesses. “We’ve worked on a number of significant local projects, like the rescue of Forge Bakehouse, who are now thriving,” Neil highlights. Their involvement in such projects underscores their dedication to the Sheffield community and their role in its economic development.
As MD Law celebrates its first decade, there’s a clear sense of pride in its growth so far and the team is viewing the future with optimism. “There’s always plenty of work to be done, and we’ll roll up our sleeves and get on with it,” says Matthew.
With plans for further expansion and a continued focus on their core values, the company looks set to continue its development for years to come.
www.mdlaw.co.uk
