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

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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

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Sponsored by
Laytons ETL—Maximilian Kraitt

Laytons ETL—Maximilian Kraitt

Commercial firm strengthens real estate disputes team with associate hire

Switalskis—three appointments

Switalskis—three appointments

Firm appoints three directors to board

Browne Jacobson—seven promotions

Browne Jacobson—seven promotions

Six promoted to partner and one to legal director across UK and Ireland offices

NEWS
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Momentum is building behind proposals to restrict children’s access to social media—but the legal and practical challenges are formidable. In NLJ this week, Nick Smallwood of Mills & Reeve examines global moves, including Australia’s under-16 ban and the UK's consultation
NLJ this week: Leasehold reform risks creating ‘forgotten freeholders’
Reforms designed to rebalance landlord-tenant relations may instead penalise leaseholders themselves. In this week's NLJ, Mike Somekh of The Freehold Collective warns that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 risks creating an ‘underclass’ of resident-controlled freehold companies
NLJ this week: Court of Appeal clarifies when a claim truly begins
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
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The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
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