DASLS ... Conferences, Strategy and Recruitment

The new DASLS Strategic Plan was approved last month by the Committee and is now published in the resources area of our website. The plan comes at a time when the Society’s income has met with challenges to our income streams and increased costs incurred in providing our services. This informed our thinking and has helped us focus our strategy on the things we do that you have told us matter most.  Please do read the strategic plan and let us have any feedback.   Planning has already commenced for the 2019 Legal Awards and Annual Dinner and as the President has already mentioned we are excited to be working in partnership with Grow Marketing to deliver thi...

Social Committee host Christmas Drinks

❄️?DASLS Social Committee host Christmas Drinks ?? We were delighted our DASLS President Pam Johns, Vice President Ben Darby and Immediate Past President Stephen Forsey, members old and new came together to celebrate the end of a busy 2025. We were thrilled to be joined by Matt Still from Lloyd & Whyte, who kindly sponsored the evening. Thank you to Ollie Johnstone and Sarah Heath and Social Committee members, lets do it again next year! Have a lovely Christmas and new Year break everyone and see you in 2026   View GALLERY for photos  ...

news from the Devon & Somerset Junior Lawyers' Division: November 2018 Update

  Football tournament The annual JLD 5-a-side football tournament took place on 13 September 2018 at the University of Exeter. The tournament was won by Ashfords, who beat Tozers on penalties in the final. All entry fees for the evening went to ELF (Exeter Leukaemia Fund).       Wine tasting and tapas   The JLD met at Pebblebed Cellar in Topsham on 4 October 2018 for wine tasting, tapas and pizza. The evening was a great opportunity for JLD members to catch up with old friends and make new connections in a relaxed and friendly environment. The knowledgeable Pebblebed team were on hand to talk the junior lawyers through their wines which comprise...

Financial Stability by Sponsor PKF Francis Clark

Two words that many of us will remember as the buzzwords from the SRA in 2007 to 2009; the time at which the last recession started to bite in many law firms. Whilst it is true to say that the financial performance of the legal sector today remains buoyant compared with that period we have seen some early signs of instability creeping back into the sector with some more potential challenges on the horizon.   In this article we briefly consider some of the sources of this instability and direct firms to some early actions they might consider taking to reduce the scope for problems developing.   1) Increased partner retirement rates   Challenge: Demograph...

President's Review - Stephen Mahoney

My previous report for the November newsletter was written just before the CILEx Devon branch Autumn Ball and the DASLS Somerset dinner.  Both were most enjoyable.  It was a pleasure to attend the ball hosted by Devon Branch Chair Gemma Rowe and to meet, amongst other guests, CILEx National President Philip Sherwood, DVP Craig Tickner and immediate past National President Millicent Grant.   Every aspect of the Somerset dinner held on 2nd November went as well as I was hoping it would.  Over 100 member and guests attended and everyone I spoke to appeared to be having a good time.  Denis Burn was great company and gave an entertaining insight into his role...

The one certainty for 2019 is change by sponsor Barclays

The year now disappearing in the rear-view mirror brought healthy revenue growth for many. However, if 2019 is to see a repeat of this, firms will need to adapt to a fast-shifting environment.   Staying relevant to clients' needs   Changing client expectations around professional services mean firms need to remain close to their clients to make sure that what they offer remains relevant. Many clients are beginning to look for alternatives to traditional law firms for example. They want more than just a legal service – they want more rounded, innovative solutions. I think this opens up some really interesting opportunities for more progressive and niche...