Here at CooperBurnett, we are bucking the trend, as some of our team members have been with us for more than 30 years!
In 2023, there will be some significant anniversaries. Our Head of Accounts, Gareth Warner will have been here for an amazing 25 years; while Partners Jonathan Rowe and Katie Gillam will record 15 years with us.
Our longest serving team member is Debbie Charman, who joined CooperBurnett in July 1985, aged 17 – an amazing 37 years ago!
“Initially, it was just to do a two-week holiday cover for general office, but I was offered a full-time job,” says Debbie, who then progressed to trainee secretary and eventually to PA/secretary. “The firm has always had a ‘family’ feel to it; you’re not ‘just an employee’ and I am proud to still be part of the team.”
While our team likes our inclusive culture and flat structure, we know our clients really appreciate the longevity that exists within CooperBurnett.
We spoke to Peter Delaney from Gallery Direct recently and he said: “Whatever business you are running, you are only as good as the people in your team and the people at CooperBurnett are just great. One of the amazing things about working with the firm is that, two decades later, I am dealing with the same people! This continuity makes a huge difference and in, what is a very changeable world, it’s even more important.”
Recently the team at Legal 500 – which saw us named as a ‘leading legal firm’ for 2023 – gathered quotes from some of our other clients, including this one: “We have used CooperBurnett for over 30 years in both a private and corporate capacity. Their team provides an elite, experienced and broad range of capabilities across all departments, delivering a highly professional, knowledgeable and friendly service with swift and straightforward communication.”
Knowing that you are dealing with the same people makes for a much smoother relationship. This is true not only for our Corporate and Commercial team but across other practice areas too, including Private Client and Residential Property.
While it might be 10 years – or more – between moving house, our clients will find that Head of Residential Property, Jennifer Irving, who celebrates 20 years with CooperBurnett in 2023 is still there to welcome them back, along with Hazel Thompson, who has been with us 35 years! Hazel joined, aged 15, a week after leaving school; she started in the general office team, progressing to a PA role and now works within our Residential Property team.
“It’s a lifetime really but I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” says Hazel. “As a team, we’ve seen each other through good times and bad. This isn’t just somewhere I work - I really care about CooperBurnett and feel a real sense of duty towards the firm.”
Adds Partner Joseph Oates, who will be celebrating his 25th anniversary in 2024: “Across the firm, growing and developing our team is absolutely key. A number of our lawyers joined CooperBurnett early in their careers. We endeavour to nurture our colleagues’ progress and provide opportunities to further their career through our commitment to training and professional qualifications.”
To discover the current job opportunities at CooperBurnett, click here: https://www.cooperburnett.com/join-the-team
