Interview with: Baruch Baigel, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Asserson from your competitors?

 I am proud that over the last 20 years the Asserson brand has become synonymous with quality, responsiveness and deep subject-matter expertise. Our disputes team punches well above its weight – running cases worth many hundreds of million with dedicated and agile teams, all whilst charging very competitive rates.

 

Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

 In the disputes space I expect to see an increase in civil fraud matters arising out of family breakdowns. We are already seeing more of these, where disputes arise at the level of second-generation recipients of wealth created by the first generation. These cases frequently involve several parties on each side of the dispute and the need for parallel litigations in various jurisdictions. We have a lot of experience working on such matters, alongside lawyers from the relevant local jurisdiction.

 

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

In 2025 we formally opened an office in Manchester city centre headed by Michael Clavell-Bate, formerly senior partner of Eversheds Manchester and president of the Manchester Law Society. Michael, a trusted advisor in the legal and business communities in the North-West and beyond, is a very exciting addition to the team.

 

Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

As a firm, we have been an early adopter of secure AI software for legal research and drafting. We are also working alongside an e-disclosure provider in the UK on a prototype AI system which we anticipate using for a very large disclosure exercise.

 

Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

Our Business Law outsourced “in-house counsel” service removes friction from day-to-day legal work. We take ownership of our clients’ legal queries, clear backlogs, and handle issues as they arise – freeing management teams to focus on growing the business, not managing legal risk

 

Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Yes, clients have always looked for stability, consistency and strategic direction from their professional advisers. Our focus is on understanding the differing needs of our clients and supporting them with senior-led, commercially focused advice as their businesses evolve.

The firm’s model has driven sustained growth over the past 20 years, and over the next three years we expect to continue building in a deliberate way – strengthening client relationships, developing core practice areas and remaining a trusted long-term partner.