Press Release | Spencer West enters Channel Islands market with two-partner team as expansion continues

28 February 2023

Leading alternative law firm Spencer West has announced its entry into the Channel Islands market and two other locations as its strong growth continues at the start of 2023.

In the latest stage of its expansion, the business, named last year as the fastest-growing law firm of its type in the UK, has brought in a Channel Islands-based practice undertaking UK onshore Real Estate and Finance work.

The two-Partner team has substantial ambition to develop Spencer West’s presence across Guernsey and Jersey as an international offshore hub for the firm.

The new Channel Islands team will be led by Real Estate Finance specialists Michael Morris and Donald Millar, who have joined from Collas Crill along with colleague Tracy Vidamour and will be based in Guernsey.

This move is part of the latest round of expansions for the rapidly-growing law firm, whose model enables Partners to work flexibly as owners of their own practices, retaining more of the fees they bill whilst working collaboratively alongside highly-experienced, highly-regarded partner-level colleagues across the UK and internationally.

So far this year, Spencer West has onboarded 16 new Partners and there are more announcements expected in the coming months.

Spencer West co-founder Antoine West said he expected other lawyers to follow suit in making the switch to the ALF model by moving away from traditional firms, growing the firm’s presence in the market further.

“The Channel Islands and other are markets primed for ALF expansion and we intend to be at the vanguard of the change. Lawyers are increasingly tiring of old-fashioned, out-dated models and are looking for the chance to run their own practices and keep more of the proceeds they generate,” he said.

“We’re already the fastest-growing ALF in the UK – and we anticipate replicating that very quickly in Guernsey and Jersey. There’s a gathering momentum away from traditional firms to newer models offering greater flexibility, control and returns.

“The advantage we have is the ability to offer the compliance and marketing support lawyers need, enabling them to work collaboratively with our growing team of partners in multiple jurisdictions internationally to deliver client service excellence and win more business.”

Donald Millar said: “The Spencer West model is a unique opportunity to control and develop how we shape and develop our team and client book, working with a firm who as Michael says have shown us so much love and appreciation since we were first introduced.

“People are at the core of what we do and I’m proud that we’ve built a client base full of fantastic contacts who I consider to be good friends. One of the core motivators for this move is to build on the foundations we’ve put in over the past few years, a challenge I’m very excited and passionate about.”

Ends  

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News of the Channel Islands office was feaured in the following media outlets:

The Global Legal Post

Law 360 (subscription required)

eprivateclient (subscription required)

New Law Journal

Legal Futures

Law News

Bailli Wick Express (Guernsey)

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PRESS RELEASE CONTACT 

Donna Black 

MD Communications 

On behalf of Spencer West LLP [email protected] 

About Spencer West 

Spencer West is a leading full-service international law firm advising businesses and individuals across the UK and globally, with core values of collaboration, entrepreneurship, and excellence. 

The firm’s experienced lawyers are recognised experts in their fields from leading City, national and international law firms and senior in-house positions. 

Working in a modern and dynamic way with autonomy over where, when and how they work, Spencer West lawyers view issues from their clients’ perspective to deliver the best results. 

Spencer West’s international presence and global outlook enables them to advise on corporate, commercial, disputes, and private wealth matters across multiple jurisdictions. 

www.spencer-west.com 

Antoine West
Managing Partner - Co-Founder
Antoine West is a Partner Solicitor at Spencer West. He specialises corporate and commercial, construction claims, commercial dispute resolution & professional negligence.