Happy 15th Birthday LGFL!
On Friday 30 June, Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers celebrated their 15th anniversary since the company was founded by Anne Leiper and Rita Gupta. The story actually started six months earlier, when Anne rang Rita on the 6th December 2007 and suggested they went into partnership together.
What followed was six months of jumping through the various hoops required to set up a new legal practice from scratch, whilst keeping their plans secret from their then employers. Anne recalls how she spent many lunch hours perched on a wall outside her then Reading office talking to Rita and regulatory bodies alike, come rain or shine!
After what seemed a long process but was actually remarkably quick given the paperwork required, LGFL was finally open for business. Anne and Rita's first office was in Yateley, and they opened with eight case files, two chairs and no phone line. That resulted in Anne roping in help from a friend when the BT line installation clashed with a court appearance!
The practice quickly grew in both caseload and reputation, and Rita's toddler son was a frequent visitor too. One of Anne’s favourite memories is him running around the two second-hand desks in his romper suit!
Quickly outgrowing their small office, LGFL moved to new premises in the former stable block at Warbrook House, an exclusive country hotel and (in summer) a popular wedding venue. Apart from the growing number of clients seeking their help for divorce and other family law matters, winter visitors included deer and wildlife grazing outside their window, and slightly lost wedding guests wandering around the car park in their finery!
LGFL has always had a strong tradition of mentoring the next generation of lawyers, as reflected in the numerous trainees who have begun their careers under Rita and Anne's expert guidance. To celebrate their 15th anniversary, LGFL are proud to be taking on not one but two new trainees, Kyle and Laura, in addition to long-serving colleague Gill who is training under the Cilex scheme.
Thanks to some extra space becoming available at their current office location at Wyvols Court, LGFL have also taken on a new paralegal Josh and a new Executive Assistant Tom, to join Admin Assistant Lauren.
To mark this very special landmark anniversary, Rita and Anne invited business friends and colleagues to join them for a celebration party at an exclusive rooftop location in Reading. In her celebration speech, Rita acknowledged how the special partnerships forged between LGFL and their professional suppliers has helped build LGFL into what it is today, a highly successful boutique family law firm with local, national and international clients.
So, a quick shout out to those she mentioned:
- Social media and marketing team Invaluable Resource
- Long-standing (and patient!) accountants from Langdowns DFK, Ross Garfitt and Janette Whiteway
- IT tech wizards Blucando
- The exceptional and inspirational barristers and clerking team at Pump Court Chambers
- HR expert Sam Swinstead
- Christelle Thompson, LGFL‘s wonderful VA
And of course, Rita's 'at home' support team of Raj and Milan, plus the furry devotedness of Anne’s family cats!
Despite the pesky rain showers, everyone enjoyed a fabulous evening with lots of fizz, food and the clever tabletop magic of Steve Cantwell.(How did he do that fuzzy balls trick?!)
Looking ahead to the future, Rita and Anne are looking forward to helping new clients with new family law issues, especially where minor children are involved. Increasingly they are helping parents with SEN children separate with less stress to all involved, and are also helping create new families through private adoption services.
LGFL really is a family law firm with family at its heart. That's been proved time and time again over the last 15 years, and long may that continue. Here's to you Rita and Anne!
Looking for expert family law advice?
Talking to Anne and Rita first before applying online or similar can help put your situation into perspective. LGFL offer a 1 hour fixed fee consultation to discuss your specific circumstances and concerns.
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