Law Industry Change Spurring Karen Bexley's Election Bid

One of the founders of award-winning law firm Bexley Beaumont is hoping to be part of the Law Society Council to represent those working within the legal profession and support the profession in capitalising on its continued evolution.

Karen Bexley, CEO at Bexley Beaumont, is one of 27 women solicitors contesting five available seats on the Law Society's governing council.

Voting is currently underway with polls due to close on 8th September. Successful candidates are due to take up their positions at the end of the Society's Annual General Meeting the following month.

Karen Bexley said it was important to acknowledge the contribution and the potential represented by traditional and non-traditional law firms including Alternative Business Structures (ABS).

"It is now a decade since the first ABS licences were issued by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority.

"During that time, we have seen an increasing number of non- traditional law firms launch and a growing proportion of senior solicitors decide to swap their roles in the kind of traditional firms in which they qualified for fee share practices.

"I am someone who has experience in both traditional and non-traditional firms and now manages a fee share firm. I know only too well the appetite which many solicitors have for the control and relative freedom offered by an organisation like Bexley Beaumont.

"As the ABS market continues to mature and expand, I believe that the insight which we have accumulated will be of great use".

Thirty-eight seats on the Law Society's council are being contested this summer. Recent changes to the voting system mean that there are a greater number of vacancies than normal.

Members are elected for an initial four years but are eligible to seek a further two terms on the council.

When the first Alternative Business Structures licences were issued, the then Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly, explained that they would drive legal services to "new heights" by allowing firms to provide an even more diverse range of services.

Recent research published by the SRA revealed that ABSs account for roughly one-in-10 firms operating in England and Wales.

Along with co-founder Anna Beaumont, Karen Bexley was one of only two lawyers with Bexley Beaumont when it opened its doors in January 2020.

The firm now boasts 34 lawyers and, in addition to its offices in the City of London, maintains premises in the heart of Manchester's business district.

Earlier this month, Bexley Beaumont announced that it had become the youngest law firm included on a roll of accredited parliamentary agents.

It means that the firm is one of only seven permitted to promote or oppose private legislation in the Houses of Commons or the House of Lords.

As well as working for clients in a variety of sectors, including retail, leisure and hospitality, pharmaceuticals, logistics, real estate and the public sector, the firm has won a string of prestigious awards.

In March, Bexley Beaumont was chosen ahead of larger and longer-established national rivals in the Business Growth category of the Modern Law Awards, set up to highlight "the successful, dynamic entrepreneurs within our industry".

It was named Start-up Of The Year at the Business Masters Awards and was shortlisted for Boutique Law Firm of the Year at last year's British Legal Awards and at The Law Society Excellence in Law Awards.

Guidance on how to vote for Karen can be found here.