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22 September 2023 / Sinead O’Callaghan
Issue: 8041 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Boutiques in bloom

With the rise in smaller specialist law firms showing no signs of slowing down, Sinead O’Callaghan explains how the boutique firm can stand out in a crowded field
  • The continued success of boutique law firms shows that this model remains attractive for both lawyers and clients.
  • Boutique firms are top of the acquisition wish list for larger firms wishing to invest in specific practice areas.
  • The key to the survival of the boutique law firm is planning and diversifying to accommodate the ever-evolving disputes market.

While the 2008 financial crash and the consequent surge of conflicts work arguably instigated the emergence of the new wave of litigation boutiques, the changes in working practices brought about by the pandemic, among other things, have meant that the growth in numbers of specialist legal boutiques shows no signs of abating.

Increased competition

The legal landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade, with many smaller, more specialised firms taking work away from established full-service domestic and international law firms. With the ongoing

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke

Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke

Shakespeare Martineau strengthens Sheffield regulatory practice with new hires

Sackers—Louise McRae & Annabella Hwang

Sackers—Louise McRae & Annabella Hwang

Sackers recruits new associates

McHale & Co—Shaun Little & Patrick Byrne

McHale & Co—Shaun Little & Patrick Byrne

Firm bolsters senior team with head of corporate and head of employment

NEWS
A wide-ranging Civil Way column highlights developments from insolvency procedure to employment law, but one case stands out for its lessons on bankruptcy, family homes and digital communications
A sprawling Intellectual Property Office battle between House of Fraser and Frasers Property has delivered a masterclass in modern trade mark law
Courts in England and Wales and Singapore are increasingly confronting complex disputes over international child relocation as families become more globally mobile
The government’s long-awaited family law reform consultation could mark a turning point for domestic abuse victims navigating financial remedy proceedings, but significant challenges remain
A new commercial court pilot giving the public access to documents used in hearings, including expert reports, is raising difficult questions about transparency and privacy
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