A new head of Access Legal from Shoosmiths has been appointed to drive it forward, following a successful first 18 months.

David Palmer joins the consumer legal services provider from US marketing and loyalty company Affinion International, where he was UK managing director and regional president.
 
He will take over from head of consumer services Judith Dorkins, the driving force behind Access Legal, who spent months helping develop and launch it.
 
Dorkins, who is retiring to pursue other interests after 20 years with Shoosmiths, said: "David is an experienced business leader who has developed success across a wide range of sectors and for some of the most challenging and innovative international companies. 
 
"He has just the skills we were looking for to take Access Legal to the next level in the journey to become a leading and trusted provider of high quality legal services to consumers, whether they're buying or selling a house or have suffered a serious injury.
 
"We're about to enter a significant period of change in the legal landscape, and felt this was an opportunity to bring in a non-lawyer with significant commercial experience who could see things from a different perspective to help to really drive the business on.
 
"Access Legal has been a huge part of my working life and I'm so keen to see it flourish at this time of great opportunity. I'm confident that'll happen with David to guide it."
 
Palmer has enjoyed a broad-ranging career including previous roles as director of the UK personal cards business of Citigroup, international marketing head for US private equity and investment banking group Robert W Baird, and head of personal customer marketing for Royal Bank of Scotland's card division. 
Launched in February 2010, Access Legal recently marked its first anniversary earlier this year with an impressive set of launch-year statistics.
 
It recorded a massive 178% increase in direct enquiries, saw web enquiries up more than 100%, staff referrals and member claims climb from 1% to 11%, and 25x more enquiries through recommendations.
 
Palmer said: "This is a wonderful challenge at what is an exciting time for the consumer legal services market. To be the leading player as we intend in this brave new world we must offer legal expertise coupled with traditional service values, delivered in a modern way that deploys the best practices from other fast-moving consumer sectors. I'm looking forward to making this happen."
 
Access Legal offers more than 100 services under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury; and wills, family and wealth.

Tell us what you think

All documents should be read and used in accordance with the terms and conditions. This document is for your general information only and is not a detailed statement of the law. It is provided to you free of charge and should not be used as a substitute for specific legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact our helpline on 03700 86 86 86.