Success Story - Haddletons
Start-up support for new law firm
When former in-house lawyer James Haddleton set up a niche law firm specialising in fixed fee services for businesses, delivered by experienced solicitors, he knew he needed a proactive accountant to work alongside him.
James teamed up with Wild & Co Chartered Accountants to ensure his business structure, systems and processes were sound from the outset.
James says: “Graham and Liz made sure we had everything in place to help us achieve our ambitious growth plans. They dealt with the incorporation of the new business and, because they are experts in cloud accounting, put all our financial systems online so that we could keep track of cashflow easily.”
Setting sound foundations for growth
One of Haddleton Legal’s USPs is its fixed fee structure and this is something Wild & Co were able to help James refine and embed into his business plan.
James explains: “The legal industry is known for its fee targets and hourly rates and, having worked in-house, I understand how challenging this can be commercially. I was adamant that I wanted to move away from the traditional law firm model of time-based billing which is why each job is priced up and fixed, giving clients budget certainty.
“Just as we are shaking up the legal world, Graham and Liz have taken a refreshingly different approach to accountancy and this is one reason why we get along so well. The relationship works because neither of us is constrained by preconceptions of how a business should operate. We understand that flexibility is key to success, whether that’s in the way you work with your clients or your team.”
He adds: “One thing Liz is very good at is making introductions. When she is out and about she looks out for our interests and those of her other clients, always thinking how she can connect us together.”
Haddleton Legal was founded in 2017 and has seen turnover grow year on year. It now has a team of 20 and is continuing to expand rapidly, having now moved into larger offices to accommodate further growth.
How Wild and Co have helped
Liz Wild says: “I was inspired by James’s passion and vision right from the start and I could see a gap in the market for a law firm made up mainly of former in-house lawyers with a deep level of commercial experience.
“We feel like we are very much a part of the Haddleton Legal team and are on hand to support and advise James and his colleagues as their business evolves. We have also supported some of his team who operate as consultants, giving them tailored advice to help them set up.”
