Law firm celebrating landmark anniversary unveils post-pandemic plans for new offices and staff

AN ACCLAIMED law firm unveiled plans for post-pandemic growth after taking on new staff and celebrating its 21st anniversary.

Mackenzie Jones Solicitors has been a mainstay on St Asaph Business Park since 2000, rising from three to 24 employees and gaining prominence for delivering high quality personal and commercial legal services while holding prestigious accreditations including Lexcel, CQS, SIA and the Legal 500.

The firm, which also has offices in Chester and Menai Bridge, will extend its footprint later this year having secured more national clients in multiple sectors, including healthcare, tourism, hospitality, and property.

Founded by director Richard Jones, they have also experienced demand for wills and probate support, divorce, clinical negligence and catastrophic injury cases, and conveyancing.

With Andrew Foley-Jones and Anna Mills Morgan – the company’s first ever trainee – joining him at the helm, Richard – who hails from Rhyl – believes they are well placed to build on their long-standing reputation.

“Like many organisations, we have faced challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, but we believe we have managed to navigate them successfully and are in a strong position moving forward,” he said.

“We had already made significant investment in cloud-based software and new technology, so staff working from home and dealing with cases and clients virtually was a smooth process and allowed us to continue operating at a high level.

“As a result, we plan to open a further office in North Wales later this year and are recruiting new bilingual administrative staff to our St Asaph headquarters.

“Coronavirus is the biggest crisis this sector has faced in the three decades I’ve been a solicitor, and certainly the time we have been here, but I’m so proud of how our team dealt with it – it has given us a platform to grow further.”

Andrew, who was raised in Prestatyn, echoed those words and said the firm’s ability to pivot and adapt to what was uncharted territory will make them even more efficient in the future.

“We have clients across North Wales but also in many different parts of England and Wales, so taking many of our meetings and conferences online has made us extremely efficient,” he added.

“Of course, we would always rather meet people face-to-face but in terms of sustainability, reducing our carbon footprint and being able to deal with a case or legal issue at the touch of a button, the move towards hybrid working conditions has created a fresh and more focused approach to the law.”

Anna, originally from Hope, Flintshire, says the business is focused on “giving back” to the community in 2022 via fundraising activities and the continued development of their talented workforce.

Mackenzie Jones also recently secured more than £559,000 of estimated future income for charity members of the Free Wills Network.

“Promoting internally and supporting trainees on their legal journey is important to us, but it’s also vital for the future of our industry,” she said.

“I think the pandemic has allowed us to look at the bigger picture, to reflect on what kind of business we want to be and how we can best serve current and prospective clients, given the increase in interest and enquiries we have seen across all areas.”

“We are known as a bold, forward-thinking law practice which is why we are attracting more and more clients UK-wide on the commercial side, and why we have been able to strengthen our roots here in Wales.

“One thing is for sure; the coming months are going to be busier than ever – these are exciting times for Mackenzie Jones Solicitors.”