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Before discovering the law, I spent the early part of my career with Marks & Spencer plc, at that time, the pre-eminent name in British retail. It taught me a huge amount about what makes a successful company, not least that relentless commitment to client service and understanding what that means, lie at the heart of every successful business.

In 1981, aged 32, having just recovered from cancer, with my wife Ruth I founded our law firm, Golds in a converted suburban shop on the south side of Glasgow. By 2007, Golds had grown to just under 500 people, and gained a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative law firms. We were pioneers in using new process and technology, specialising in work for banks, insurers, and national organisations. Alongside the Glasgow office, a successful English practice was built from a base in Manchester, to make us one of the few Scottish firms to offer full UK coverage.

I was senior partner and Golds’ best-known rainmaker, until we merged with national giant Irwin Mitchell in 2007. I stayed for just under 3 years, first as a partner and then as a consultant, responsible for developing business in the firm’s financial services, corporate and commercial practice areas.

Since I began consulting, I’ve had the privilege of helping many different law firm leaders achieve their ambition to build a great business. I work all over the UK and also in Ireland. My clients range from members of the global elite and leading national firms, to smaller practices. You can read some of their testimonials here.

I bring the same dedication and care to every assignment, large or small, and have a flexible approach to pricing, to reflect the value of the work and size of firm. I like to give my clients certainty and prefer not to charge by the hour, unless they especially want it.

I speak often and write regularly on law firm management and strategy for the professional press. You can access many of my articles here.

View more about what I do.

If you would like to discuss without obligation and in confidence how I can help you, please call me on 0044 7968 484232, or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“Stephen is unique, in that he learned his skills not on an MBA course or from textbooks, but at the coal face. In legal practice, he achieved amazing things, at the heart of transforming a one-man band into a 500-people business and creating a law firm years ahead of its time. So when he talks, you have to listen. He’s not talking theory, it comes from a career’s worth of experience.”

Philip Rodney, Chairman, Burness Paull LLP

“We have worked with Stephen over a number of years. Having walked the walk in building a leading law firm from scratch, he has a unique insight into what drives successful lawyers and strategies alike. He has provided thoughtful guidance and support not only to our senior leadership team, but also to individual partners. We really enjoy working with him. ”

Craig Nicol, Joint Managing Partner, Thorntons Law