NEWS LAW FIRM PARTNER LEADS DRIVE FOR MIDLANDS GROWTH
The firm was originally founded by serial entrepreneur and Managing Partner, Pragnesh Modhwadia, in Edgware London. Over the past 12 months, the firm has seen massive growth with a series of acquisitions, the most notable being in June 2021 with the merger between Axiom Stone and the Mayfair firm DWFM Beckman, creating the current brand Axiom DWFM. Since then, further acquisitions have occurred along the south coast making the firm one of fastest-growing fullservice law firms in the UK. It currently turns over £25m per annum and has a strategic target to increase its turnover to £100m by 2025. To facilitate this growth strategy the firm is acquiring leading Partners with a proven track record for managing disruptive growth strategies both in the areas of business development, merger and talent acquisition. Pragnesh Modhwadia says: “I have ambitious plans for Axiom DWFM both nationally and regionally and the appointment of Guy Barnett to develop the Midlands Region will be key to these plans as he brings a wealth of practical and entrepreneurial experience to the role gained from over 30 years in the profession.” Axiom DWFM prides itself on excellence and being able to provide the right lawyers giving best advice to its broad range of clients. It operates internationally through membership of international network IPG providing access to lawyers, accountants and tax advisers across the world.
Former leading Managing Partner Guy Barnett has returned to Birmingham and private practice after an 8-year absence from the region to spearhead the growth of Axiom DWFM’s Midlands Operation. As well as business growth in Birmingham, the firm are looking to make further acquisitions in the East and West Midlands. Guy Barnett says: “I am excited to join Axiom DWFM and lead their growth strategy in the Midlands Region. Birmingham was the place I began in practice hence returning to the city is a real homecoming for me. Although much has changed there are still many familiar faces in the Birmingham Legal Community that I have been pleased to reconnect with. “One of my first actions in role was to join Axiom DWFM as corporate members of Birmingham Law Society. I will be encouraging all our staff members to fully engage in BLS activity throughout the year as after 2 years of remote working it forms an ideal base for the members to reconnect with their fellow professionals”
The firm provides an excellent career path for its employees as well as being a caring and enjoyable place to work. Having a diverse and inclusive workplace plays a valuable part in this. The firm embraces an effective inclusion and diversity strategy which goes beyond legal compliance and adds value to the fabric of the firm, contributing to employee well-being and engagement as well as its interaction with clients and other professionals. The Birmingham office is the hub for its Midlands growth strategy. By 2025 the objective is to have a regional operation straddling both the East and West Midlands that turns over £30m. Merger will be key to this plan and the firm is actively looking for firms who share the same outlook and culture to facilitate this growth. Birmingham Partner, Suki Chhokar, adds: “Promoting and supporting diversity in the workplace is an important aspect of good people management - it’s about valuing everyone in the organisation as an individual. However, to reap the benefits of a diverse workforce it’s vital to have an inclusive environment where everyone feels able to participate and achieve their potential”
DELAY TO SQE2 EXAMS The SRA has announced that it will not be able to allow candidates who sit and successfully pass SQE1 assessments in July 2022 to be able to progress onto the SQE2 sitting taking place in October 2022. The reason it has given is that the booking window for the SQE2 assessments will have closed before the publication of SQE1 results and Students are not allowed to book their SQE2 assessments until they have confirmed SQE1 pass results. This is something that we have been requesting clarification about for some time, and we understand that many students are disappointed with the delay following this announcement. This means that for all candidates sitting SQE1 in July 2022 the earliest SQE2 sitting will now be April 2023. We have also been informed that this will be the case for this year only and that in subsequent years that it is the SRA’s intention to enable students to be able to progress onto the next available SQE2 sitting having successfully passed SQE1. 10 10
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