As we reach the end of 2022, it’s a good opportunity, as always, to review the year gone by, and to look forward to the year ahead.
2022 has been a great year for Morecrofts. We’ve grown our work in all areas, and as a result, topped £5 million turnover for the first time. We have added many new faces to our team, from experienced solicitors and legal executives, to those just starting out, all of whom play a vital part in achieving our aim of providing excellent legal services to all our clients.
We have seen four trainees complete their training contracts and become solicitors and have started three more on their journeys to qualification. We have continued to invest in our team at all levels, offering training in leadership and management, customer service, and other skills, as well as technical legal advice, to ensure our people are providing the best possible service. I am proud of how we have looked after our people and their wellbeing, for the benefit of us all.
Busy teams
Our commercial and employment team had a great year, attracting new clients, helping them to acquire, sell and manage their businesses and offering retainer services in commercial and employment matters to more businesses than ever before. Our employment seminars became face to face events once more, informing and educating our clients and others. Our litigation and personal injury teams continued to attract new work, often by virtue of their reputation for looking after their clients so well, and getting the best possible results.
As always our family team worked incredibly hard to serve their clients in all aspects of family law, helping many clients achieve their best possible outcomes in matters involving, divorce, finances and children, acting for a range of clients spanning from high-wealth individuals to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Our private client team have helped a record number of people plan for their futures with wills, powers of attorney and trusts, whilst also assisting them through the most difficult times following the deaths of relatives, or helping to ensure that those family members who are struggling with ill-health are looked after securely and with care.
Had our property team expected the predicted lull in the property market they were sorely mistaken! Instructions on both residential and commercial transactions continued to come in at a pace and our team were kept incredibly busy through the year, fulfilling our clients’ needs and all the while improving our services by embracing new technology. Their outstanding year culminated in our nomination for a national property award in November, which was very well deserved.
Socialising and event returned in force
Outside of the office, many of our team members continued their involvement with charities and business organisations, contributing to their Boards and management, as well as fundraising for many charitable causes in the communities around all our branches. We were delighted to work with Freshfield Animal Rescue as our Charity once again this year, with all our staff raising money through the year with internal raffles and competitions.
2022 was the year events came back! After more than two years of limited socialising, it was brilliant to entertain our contacts and clients once again at our ladies’ networking evening in May. It made us all realise the value of seeing one another face to face, having a good laugh, and relaxing in one another’s company.
In June we brought back our annual Domestic Abuse conference, bringing together an audience of almost 100 professionals to hear from a range of influential speakers, to inform, inspire and initiate conversations to deal with domestic abuse and offer the best possible support to victims. This valuable event is sadly, more needed than ever, and we are always proud that we attract a panel of high calibre speakers and bring together the key voices in our city region and beyond, to play our part in trying to tackle this dreadful crime and its consequences.
Of course, one of the main highlights of the year was the Merseyside Independent Business Awards. For the first time since 2019 we were able to bring back what many tell us are the best business awards in the city region. We had a massive number of entries across all categories, culminating in the crowning of Caring Connections as our overall winners. We were also very grateful to all our sponsors, some of whom have been with us since the very beginning, for supporting the awards once again. A fabulous night was had by all and we were delighted to be able to help so many businesses celebrate their success.
To end the year it was brilliant to see so many clients, contacts and friends at our Christmas drinks event. Mulled wine, mince pies and fizz were enjoyed by all, friendships rekindled, and new connections made. We love to bring together and see our own contacts, but also to introduce them to new faces, in the true spirit of networking, with some Christmas cheer thrown in.
Until next year…
With a final wrap called on 2022, we are all looking forward to another amazing year in 2023. Planning starts early for MIB 2023 and our team will be busy at work on that early in the New Year. The Domestic Abuse Conference and Ladies’ evenings will also return, and there will be other networking events and seminars along the way. We will be awarding new rounds of training contracts for April and October 2023 from amongst our team of paralegals, and supporting them along the way, as well as offering more exciting promotion, training and development opportunities for our other team members. We are hoping for another very successful year, with much to look forward to across the firm, and our people doing a fantastic job.
So from us to you, as we wave goodbye to the year in which we were proud to be crowned Liverpool’s best Large Law firm, on behalf of us all, I wish you, your colleagues, families and friends all the warmest of wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous and inspiring new year. We look forward to seeing you again, and helping you and your businesses with all your legal needs, in 2023.