Slater Heelis (Part of Lawfront)

Dispute Resolution

Consultant Partner

Having joined Slater Heelis as a trainee in 1990, Chris specialised as an old school litigator, covering all types of disputes (PI, Crime, Family, Housing) but eventually concentrating on commercial disputes, professional negligence and contentious wills and trusts. He still undertakes client work, involving a range of contentious matters.

He became an equity partner in 1998, but it was the financial crash that led Chris to take a more active role in the management of the firm. Having completed the Higher Diploma in Legal Practice Management at the MMU in 2011, he became managing partner with a business plan to grow the firm rapidly, allowing the economies of scale to meet the increasing demands of a modern law firm.

A combination of acquisitions, lateral hires and organic growth saw a 4-fold increase in turnover c.£18m and 220 people. Crucially, that growth was coupled with improved productivity and profitability.

He has always been a huge advocate for peer learning, mentoring, and coaching, especially working with inspiring business leaders in other sectors.

In recent years, we have seen radical change at the firm. Incorporating in 2021, going live with a Share Incentive Plan in 2022 (all staff were offered free shares) and this year, the acquisition of Slater Heelis by Lawfront, at which point he became Senior Partner, working closely with the new managing partner, Rachel Fletcher.

Chris remains focused on culture and governance, helping attract top talent and new acquisitions whilst ensuring their values align with the firm’s objective