As a firm that is still going strong 75 years on, Max Engel Solicitors was proud to welcome staff clients and professional colleagues both from years gone by and the present day, to celebrate a momentous occasion and to look forward to continued success.
The evening of September 12 saw a large and happy crowd gather at 78 Derngate, the renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh house in Northampton, for the 75th anniversary celebrations, with several travelling a considerable distance to be there.
As well as a guided tour of the house, guests were able to enjoy a look back over the firm’s history and hear about the key contributors to Max Engel Solicitors’ success over the years.
Max Engel founded the business in 1949 in an attic space office overlooking Northampton’s Market Square, moving in 1956 to the office in Hazelwood Road, where the firm remains to this day.
The practice has, over the years, adapted, expanded and modernised to meet the needs of its clients, many of whom have returned to the legal team many times over the years, in some cases through generations of the same families. Its central focus has switched from criminal law to property and commercial law, but the principles established by Max Engel remain the same. Over that period many of the firm’s competitors, including many who boast a longer vintage, have merged or closed or changed their names, so it is with pride that the firm retains its original name and ethos.
Max remained an associate with the firm until his death in 2005 aged 93, by which time he had been practising law for 67 years. Max’s son Richard Engel joined the firm as an articled clerk in 1968 and became a Senior Partner in 1980.
The anniversary celebrations included a look forward to the future as the firm remains committed to empowering its staff to provide innovation and excellence for clients.
The event was attended by Richard Engel and his wife, Liz. Richard took the bittersweet opportunity to announce his formal retirement at the end of October, before he and Liz did the honour of cutting the cake to mark the event.
Managing Partner Helen Carville, who trained and worked her way through all levels at the firm over the last 27 years, made a speech, saying:
“The legal world today is probably unrecognisable from the world when Max first set up off the Market Square. The most obvious difference is the presence of women, including us working mums. The fact that we manage to ‘have it all!’ is a testament to the ethos of putting our people first, which allows us in turn to bring our best for our clients, which is what encourages them ro return time after time, generation after generation.”
The event was also the perfect opportunity to celebrate Helen’s birthday (who is significantly younger than 75!) and to mark the occasion she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers by fellow partner Sara Lawson, who also trained at the firm with Richard.
Max Engel Solicitors specialises in a range of aspects of business and personal law including conveyancing, dispute resolution, bankruptcy, employment law, debt recovery, probate and estate administration, Wills and Powers of Attorney. On the commercial side, services include handling commercial property matters, company and commercial law, commercial litigation, insolvency and employment law, so the firm is able to provide most services, making it a one-stop-shop for small businesses and individuals. Its smaller size compared with others also helps bring the personal touch and a high degree of autonomy for the staff, who are committed to the clients’ needs.
Strategic alliances with other professionals give the Max Engel team access to specialist knowledge wherever it is needed, and the firm acts for clients across the UK, helping them work through difficult legal issues with an understanding but assertive approach.
The firm and its team have become trusted advisors and a first port of call to clients across various sectors and to individuals who return time and again as their needs and requirements change. Its success is built on a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients, as well as a strong belief in the exceptional professional knowledge and standards of its people. The key detail which sets Max Engel Solicitors apart from others is the personal service aspect. Clients benefit from a personal approach and advice and guidance from the same person from start to finish.
Guests at the anniversary celebrations also heard about the work of Northampton charity The Lewis Foundation, which supplies care packages to local hospitals for cancer patients going through chemotherapy. Denise and Evie, representatives of The Lewis Foundation, hosted the raffle which raised a fabulous total of £470 thanks to the generosity of clients, connections and staff.
The event was a resounding success, arranged by the fabulous efforts of Chloe May, Jayne Croft and Niamh Green, and the firm looks forward to many more opportunities to celebrate in the future.
Find out more about Max Engel Solicitors by calling 01604 887455, email info@maxengel.co.uk or visit the website at www.maxengel.co.uk
