header-logo header-logo

21 February 2014 / Brent Wilkinson
Issue: 7595 / Categories: Features , Profession
printer mail-detail

Flex those finances

web_wilkinson

How financially fit is your law firm, asks Brent Wilkinson

Recent research from insolvency trade body R3 showed that just over 30% of UK law firms are at risk of failing within the next 12 months. How can these firms avoid failure, and how can they ensure that their law firm is “financially fit”?

In order to keep a legal firm healthy and open for business, it is important that, for example in an LLP, the members are fully aware of the internal workings. In many cases the mentality of the members can be the first downfall of any LLP; however, by thinking of the business’ needs first, there are a number of common mistakes which can be avoided.

Don’t milk the cash cow

As most partners within a law firm will be aware, remuneration within an LLP structure is dictated by both the profits generated by the business and the available cash to distribute. However many firms enter into financial difficulty by taking too much cash out of the business for partner remuneration,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Walkers—Muriel Marseille

Walkers—Muriel Marseille

Ashurst's Chief Risk Officer joins Walkers

Excello Law—John Osborne

Excello Law—John Osborne

Northern family lawyer John Osborne joins Excello

mfg Solicitors—Rebecca Rogers, Kennedy Langley & Victoria Griffiths

mfg Solicitors—Rebecca Rogers, Kennedy Langley & Victoria Griffiths

Trio of promotions announced at Kidderminster law firm mfg Solicitors

NEWS
A sole director can conspire with their own company for the purposes of the tort of unlawful means conspiracy, the High Court has ruled in a judgment with potentially wide implications for business disputes
The Court of Appeal has reinforced that domicile depends on intention rather than residence alone, in a significant post-Brexit ruling on cross-border financial remedy claims
The Chancery Division's long history comes to an end this autumn as it is reborn as the Business and Property Division, prompting questions over whether the shake-up is really necessary
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to show that failing to disclose regulatory issues can attract harsher consequences than the original misconduct itself
Rejecting a generous settlement can prove an expensive mistake, as two recent high-profile cases demonstrate
back-to-top-scroll