Samuel Phillips Law firm recently celebrated its 100th birthday in grand style at the Baltic Gateshead. The law firm transformed the space into a 1920s Art Deco black and gold extravaganza, with guests echoing the theme dressed in top-to-toe sparkling flapper outfits or channelling their black tie and peaky blinder fashion.
The Gateshead Millennium Bridge lit up the river with the firms rebranded colours of teal and gold, and the front of the Baltic screened a huge projection of Samuel Phillips Law 1919 smashing through to Samuel Phillips Law 2019. Over 200 guests from local businesses enjoyed the event, which brought together all sectors of regional private and public sector companies and agencies with Samuel Phillips Law.
Samuel Phillips 100th year has been an outstanding one. The firm completed a major move of its offices to 18-24 Grey Street in Newcastle last year and since then have grown and introduced new technology.
In the last twelve months it has also recruited a new Head of Commercial Property, Phil Dean, and commercial property lawyer, Will Jarvis-Smith, new family law senior associate Sarah Ward, appointed two partners, Stephen Robinson and Jane Fiddes and expanded their highly regarded residential property team to seven members of staff. The firm has also created a litigation and dispute resolution team led by Claire Farrell, and promoted Roisin ODonnell to wills, probate and trusts solicitor.
Samuel Phillips Law has rebranded, with a renewed website, interactive online residential property services, and stylish furnishing throughout the firms offices in the new brand colours.
The firms marketing strategy, and its proactive approach to creating new contacts through events, online and offline communications reflects Samuel Phillips aim of being first choice for clients and referrers.
It is actively involved with local charities and community services, with team members driving charitable donations and participation to make a substantive difference to many regional good causes. Samuel Phillips Law works across a range of sectors including business, property, education, health, charity and the public sector. It also works with individuals and families in all areas of personal law, including serious injury, wills and probate, family law and dispute resolution.
Managing partners Robert Gibson and Jennifer Goldstein spoke of their pride at the achievements of the firm over its 100 years, during which time legal services have grown and changed enormously. Samuel Phillips has embraced the newest technology and ways of working, but retained the primary importance of personal contact, with long term relationships built with loyal clients.
Sharon Boyd, chief executive of Samuel Phillips Law has driven the changes to the law firm which hallmark its 100th year. She said: The centenary evening went even better than I could have hoped. We were thrilled that our guests embraced the 1920s theme. Everyone looked so glamorous and the buzz in the room was fantastic! Weve so much to celebrate this year, and to look forward to in the next 100 years.
What sets us apart is our priority of developing relationships with the business community and empowering our people to make the most of their potential. We have developed programmes and a supportive culture to develop their confidence, professional prowess and personal well-being. We encourage juniors to have responsibility so that they begin to build relationships with other firms and sectors early in their careers, rather than focussing solely on senior staff. Each member of staff is important to the firm, and we make sure they know they are valued and respected.
As a result, were trusted for great service and expertise, and from this solid foundation we can move forward confidently and grow in the future. Samuel Phillips, the founder of the law firm, came to Britain from Belarus. With his parents, Samuel moved to England in 1906 to seek a better life. An immigrant, he attended Leeds University to study English Literature and graduated with 1st Class honours in 1911, a remarkable achievement given English was his second language.
He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in the first world war, and was shot and wounded in 1915. At the end of the war Samuel returned to England and set up his legal practice in 1919. The law firm thrived, acquiring another practice in 1954. Samuel Phillips died in 1971 aged 81, but left a growing law firm with a strong reputation.
Sharon Boyd said: Samuel Phillips was courageous, resilient, hardworking and not afraid to pursue what he felt was right. It is an ethos which we hope reflects the firm today, and will take it forward into the next 100 years.
