2023 has been nothing short of extraordinary for Leverets.
With an impressive 50% growth in both billable hours and fee income, a second office, and an accolade at the British Legal Awards, this is just the start of our ascent.
Success through innovation
At the heart of Leverets’ success lies a commitment to innovative legal service provision.
Through strategic investment in state-of-the-art technology, every member of our team can work from any location with seamless access to the IT they need. They can also travel to any location that suits the client, unencumbered by the restrictions of commuting in and out of the city.
We’ve also invested in maintaining our reputation as a unique place to work. We’ve continued to attract market-leading talent, and thanks to our nimble approach our core team can spin up or down rapidly depending on client needs (at one point this year we were a team of 27). More on this to come…
Work-life balance has remained a key priority in 2023, with every member of the team empowered to manage their working day around family and other commitments. We’ve actively encouraged and supported everyone to undertake pro bono work, and use their expertise and talent in ways that make a positive difference to society and themselves.
Our unique approach was recognised in November, when we beat off tough competition from across the legal landscape to be named as a finalist for Alternative Legal Service Provider of the Year at the prestigious British Legal Awards 2023.
Our vision unfolds
Leading, not following. Leverets is a small firm punching well above its weight. Outmanoeuvring the bigger firms, thanks to our combined solicitor and barrister practice and its proven ability to has transform the quality of the client experience.
We’ve been active in exceptional, high-value work on behalf of international and corporate clients this year as well as acting for high-profile individuals.
Most notably, in what was a true David and Goliath story, Leverets secured settlements in London’s Commercial Court for two former Credit Suisse Bankers in one of the most notable cases of 2023, namely Republic of Mozambique v. Credit Suisse and Others – also known as the ‘Tuna Bonds scandal’. Leverets’ increased our team to 27 and played a pivotal role in finally ending this decade-old complex multi-party dispute. Securing the settlements represents not only a great outcome for the clients, but also perfectly demonstrates Leverets’ ability to act on a level playing field with big firms in large-scale, high-value, complex international litigation.
We’ve also been active in COVID inquiry applications, complex insolvency cases, professional negligence claims, an historical sexual abuse case, a solicitors disciplinary hearing, sports regulatory matters, fatal accidents, and several exit agreements for senior C-suite executives. All of which serve as demonstration of the sheer depth and breadth of expertise within the firm.
Playing our part
Throughout 2023, despite the demands of complex international litigation, we’ve kept our fixed costs low, limited travel, operated in ways that reduce our carbon footprint, and consistently reinforce our commitment to having a net positive impact on the environment and society. In addition, we provided support to a range of organisations including:
- The F51 Community Skatepark– supporting disengaged youth via access to urban sport.
- British Ukrainian Aid –sponsoring a live operatic performance of Puccini’s TOSCA set in contemporary Odesa during the war.
- Porchlight – Kent’s largest charity for homeless and vulnerable people
- The Green Litigation Pledge -minimising, the environmental impact of our practice.
- Environmental Business Network– as an official partner, helping businesses adapt to, and benefit from, the need for a different environmental future.
- FoodLoop – tackling farming food waste.
- The Hare Preservation Trust– protecting one of the UK’s most threatened species.
- Sevenoaks Suns Women’s Basketball and Kent County RFU
A glimpse into the future
A year of triumph and growth, 2023 has set the trajectory for even greater success next year.
With a focus on company and commercial, civil fraud, commercial litigation and insolvency, sport and media and statutory inquiries, Leverets stands on the precipice of even greater accomplishments in the months to come.
We plan to grow our core areas and expand our offering by recruiting top legal talent (both solicitors and barristers). In addition to our offices in Sevenoaks and Canterbury offices, we are also seeking to establish a presence (physical or virtual) in the City.
Our Head of Practice, Rupert Butler commented:
“The legal landscape faces some interesting challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.
The economic outlook is still very topsy-turvy. This is not helped by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, and ongoing tensions between North and South Korea, and many nations in the South China Sea. Add an election on the horizon and 2024 may be yet another year defined by uncertainty. Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the legal profession will also remain a key topic of discussion. However, where others see adversity, Leverets sees opportunity – both for our firm and our clients.
As clients seek more value in the provision of legal services, and become more price sensitive, Leverets will continue to up our game to deliver efficient, cost-effective, high-quality service and outstanding results.”
Wishing you all a very happy and successful 2024
The Leverets Team
