We are always interested in discussing opportunities even when we have not identified them ourselves. We are currently in talks with a Sole Practitioner with a high value Personal Injury caseload who will formally join the firm in October 2024. And just recently recruited a commercial lawyer who we previously worked with in 2011. He is looking forward to catching up with colleagues he worked alongside 13 years ago!
Background: I started the firm with a vision to provide online legal services in 2002. Working from a spare room at home, similar to how many of us work now, I believed it was possible to obtain instructions remotely. Roll forward 20 years and remote instruction via Zoom, Skype and Teams, is the norm!
Physical and Online presence: Whilst the key to starting the business was online, I realised clients appreciated the ability to attend a physical base, and found the perfect location for my fledging business in 2004. A very large house in fantastic grounds, close to Roundhay Park in North Leeds. That house became our office, was extended in 2006, so it can comfortably hold 40 people. With four conference rooms and parking for more than 20, it really is an ideal location.
What is it like working at Winston Solicitors? From our well supported annual quiz, which this year raised over £6,000 for both Leeds Mencap and Saint Michael's Hospice, to our regular staff night outs, garden games (yes we really do have an office garden), and bonfire party, we are a great team ready to welcome all new starters.
Our work systems are cloud based, to enable access wherever you are live in the country. They utilise modern workflows designed and built in-house. Our aim is to provide better remote communication for clients, admin automation and easy routes to marketing our services on social media and online.
Great teamwork creates great team service. The best independent proof of this, is in the regular fantastic reviews we receive from our Clients. With over 2500 Five Star testimonials over various feedback platforms, we believe we do match our business motto of ‘when service wins’.
Who are we looking for? We regularly advertise our roles on this website and on job platforms like Indeed. There are often a number of vacancies at various levels in the firm. Our 5 year plan (2022 – 2027), is ambitious as it is to grow the team by 50%, which is 20 additional team members. At the start of 2024, 11 have already joined, so we are ahead of schedule.
Can you contact us even if there is no specific vacancy? Yes absolutely, but when doing so, please consider how that role will be funded? This means the people most likely to be recruited are those with genuine following, and or costed business plans who are prepared to share in the risk and reward. We receive many enquiries from highly talented lawyers, but unless the role can be funded by their following or business plan, it is usually not possible to recruit on talent alone.
If you have a following or a great business plan: We are ‘all ears’. I am happy to personally discuss all such plans to see if they will fit into our business model. As we offer many different services, there are plenty of opportunities.
Can I work from home? Whilst lockdown is a distant memory, home working is here to stay, as it is as important to be able to work from home today, as it was when I set up working from home 21 years ago. That’s why our systems are designed to be as effective from a home office in Barnsley or Skipton, as they are from our fabulous North Leeds office.
Do you recruit Consultants? Yes in fact we have always recruited self-employed Consultants; there are currently 5 in the business, with our most recent joining this year.
What’s the best way to get in contact? Existing roles and speculative non-funded applications can be made to our HR team, @email. All self-employed, lawyers with following / or costed business plan to myself jmw@winstonsolicitors.co.uk.
Good luck with whatever 2024 brings.
Jonathan Winston (founder of Winston Solicitors)
