As the economy continues to make a difficult recovery and the Autumn Statement attempts to stimulate the construction industry, one of Wales’ leading law firms has celebrated 25 years of working in the Welsh property sector.
Berry Smith was established as a commercial property practice in 1986. Founder, Roger Berry, spoke of the firm’s dramatic growth from a sole practitioner in Bridgend to having 80 employees and eleven partners in Cardiff, Bridgend Bristol and London in 2011:
“The past few years have been particularly tough on the property sector. The name of the game has been survival and as such we are delighted to have reached 25 years in business.
“However, we are not going to stop there; over the next few years we aim to develop and expand our services and continue to adapt to the ever-changing market. We already have several high-profile deals in the pipeline for next year.”
“Threats are posed to the traditional solicitors’ practice by the advent of the Alternative Business Structure (ABS) where non-lawyers, in particular large corporations, may want to develop high volume legal add-ons, but ABS provides opportunities for niche firms providing high quality specialist advice to set themselves apart from these faceless and impersonal factories.”
Now one of numerous legal teams within the Berry Smith structure, the commercial property group is currently recognised as one of the largest in Wales whilst the Chambers and Partners Guide to Legal Profession also praised the ‘more personal service’ delivered to clients than others in the area.
Along with Mr Berry, there are two other Commercial Property partners, Chris Jones and Martin Pursall, who together now head up a team of ten fee earners plus support staff. In addition, Iwan Doull is partner in charge of the Property Litigation team within the Berry Smith Dispute Resolution Department.
Berry Smith marked their 25 year milestone with a prestigious celebration event at the Senedd which was sponsored by Cardiff AM, Jenny Rathbone, and compered by Welsh news reader, Angharad Mair.
Jenny Rathbone commented: “Despite difficult financial times, it is encouraging to see Welsh businesses, like Berry Smith, celebrating 25 years of service. With changes in legislation in the property industry, such as the creation of the sustainable development bill, property law is continuously changing and Berry Smith is evidently a law firm which has adapted and succeeded in these challenging times.
“Furthermore, it is significant that the Senedd was chosen as the venue for Berry Smith’s 25th anniversary property event as a considerable amount of new legislation affecting Welsh property now emanates from this very building. I am thrilled to be able to celebrate Berry Smith’s achievement and I have no doubt that the firm will continue its success in the future.”
An award-winning law firm with offices based in Cardiff, Bridgend, Bristol and London, Berry Smith has legal and commercial business experience in commercial property, dispute resolution, family law, private client and transactional business services.