Clarion rises above gloom to carve out successful niche

The law firm’s turnover was £6.7m in the year to May 13 2010, which was slightly lower than the previous year.

Clarion was created in February 2007, when one of Yorkshire’s best-known lawyers, Peter McCormick, sold his Leeds-based practice to a team of lawyers at the firm.

Mr McCormick and his two longest-serving partners transferred to the firm’s Harrogate practice, which has continued to trade, and grow, as McCormicks.

In August, Clarion launched a criminal practice division which plans to open an office in every major northern city. Today Clarion has a 100-strong team, including 19 partners.

Mark Burns, the managing partner, said: “We are pleased to see revenues remaining steady during 2010 and we have also been able to defend our profit margins through increased efficiencies.

“Clarion has succeeded in carving out a niche for itself as an innovative and results-driven mid tier firm, run by a team of entrepreneurial advisers who really understand the issues facing businesses. As the recession has continued to bite, businesses have demanded realistic, commercial solutions to legal issues and this has helped us to establish a solid client base, winning 10 new blue chip clients last year alone.

“Our continuing success is based on the strength of our team and we have been able to attract some of the best legal talent in the region, enabling us to deliver an excellent service more cost-effectively than the top four firms. Last summer saw the launch of our first base outside Yorkshire with the extension of our successful criminal and fraud services practice, Clarion Advocates to Liverpool as well as Leeds. In October, we acquired Ridings Law Solicitors which has been incorporated into our established private client practice and we have further ambitious plans for 2011.”

The firm offers a range of legal services including corporate, commercial and IP; corporate recovery; private client and employment.