Leading South West law firm, Stephens Scown, which became employee-owned in 2018 and has recently celebrated its one-year anniversary as a Certified B CorpTM, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2024 across three categories.
The award nominations recognise Stephens Scown’s continued innovation in the area of Client Experience with a shortlisting for Customer Focus, and in the areas of Wellbeing and Sustainability, and sees the South West firm featuring alongside others from across the country.
Speaking about the nominations, Managing Partner Richard Baker said, “It’s hugely gratifying to be recognised by LexisNexis in these three Award listings. It really does show the value in Stephens Scown and is a tremendous honour to be seen on a national scale for the work that we do. Our employee-ownership model, our B Corp™ Certification, and the client-focused nature of our work really does encompass everything that we stand for, and of which we can be justifiably proud.
“The nominations further validate our status as a heavyweight in the South West region as we continue to grow – having opened a new office in Taunton last year – and attract the best talent, drawn by our culture and ethos. It’s proof of the value of investing in our people, the planet, and in providing the best possible service to our clients.”
A nomination for customer focus is an appreciation of the company’s ethos of putting clients’ needs first, listening and adapting to deliver a personal and professional service tailored to their needs. The enquiry team use a bespoke, custom-built system to ensure that enquiries are allocated to legal advisors faster and with a better understanding of the client’s requirements. This means that clients are matched with an advisor who has the appropriate skill set and cost at the outset.
The wellbeing category recognises work done to support employees in all aspects of their work and personal lives. As the first large law firm to become employee-owned, Stephens Scown’s employees are each an owner of the business, with an equal share in the profits, meaning they are fully invested in the success of the business and its commitment to providing the best possible service for clients.
Being nominated in the sustainability category follows the organisation’s one-year anniversary as a Certified B Corp™, a validation of the existing culture found within the firm. Committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2025, well ahead of the target set by many other organisations, Stephens Scown has already reduced its carbon footprint by 78%. The firm also operates a policy of zero waste to landfill, with a recycling policy that has saved the equivalent of 261 trees.
With the awards taking place on the 14 March in London, the stage is set for a special night celebrating the best of the legal sector, and one in which Stephens Scown will be playing its part.
The judging panel were impressed with the progress made across the firm over the last 12 months, and the outstanding work done across all part of the organisation which resulted in multiple shortlistings.