Record month for start-up Elland law firm

Holden Smith recorded 293 new instructions across its property, litigation, family and wills and probate divisions in June, a 357% increase on the 64 instructions recorded in April.

The news comes after the firm was forced to suspend most of its operations and furlough most of its 20 strong workforce throughout May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

James Smith, co-founder at Holden Smith, said: “May was a difficult month, particularly across our residential property division, as the housing market came to a complete standstill due to lockdown.

“However, June has been the polar opposite. While it’s certainly difficult to read the market with any certainty at the moment, the temporary stamp duty holiday announced in the chancellor’s summer statement seems to have had the desired effect and incentivised buyers, and has resulted in strong June figures for our residential property team.”

Co-founder, David Bancroft, added: “The reality is that the pandemic has prompted many people to review the division of their estate and ensure they have everything in order, which has led to an upturn in demand for our wills and probate team, while the knock-on effect of many businesses ditching offices and switching to a permanent remote working structure has been increased instructions for our property litigation team.”

Holden Smith was founded by Smith, 31, Bancroft, 35 and business partner, Jamie Megson, 32, in February 2019. The firm recently opened its second office in the Crossgates area of Leeds and is set to open a third office on Victoria Street in Elland in August.

Mr Smith is President of The Huddersfield and Dewsbury Incorporated Law Society and specialises in commercial and residential property, with clients including developers, buy-to-let portfolio investors, landlords and housing associations.

Mr Bancroft previously managed a team of 45 people as head of residential property at a Leeds-based firm. He has over 16 years’ experience in the residential sector and works with a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals.

Mr Megson has 13 years’ experience in financial services, previously working as an independent financial adviser, now specialising as a mortgage broker.