By Andrew Meehan, Founder and Managing Director
Fifteen years ago, I left the comfort of a large national law firm – complete with receptionists, IT support, and a photocopier that never ran out of toner (well sometimes) – to set up Harrogate Family Law. I’d spotted a gap in the local market for high-quality family law advice delivered with a personal touch. So, I took the plunge.
Starting with a thermos and a dream
On day one, the entire “team” was me. I was the receptionist, the PA, the paralegal, the assistant and, conveniently, also the partner.
Meetings were powered by tea made in a thermos flask – functional, though hardly a taste of luxury. Clients were polite about it, but I suspect they were as relieved as I was when, six months later, I could finally afford to hire a PA and retire the thermos.
My first few clients were a reassuring start – however, on day one of Harrogate Family Law, I travelled to London on a case which we settled. Excellent news for the client, slightly less so for my business plan. It was a crash course in the rollercoaster of self-employment.
Photocopiers, paper bundles, and persistence
Back in 2010, “digital” wasn’t yet a word you could apply to case files. It was all about paper bundles – real, heavy, several-hundred-page bundles. I remember one night in particular: the photocopier broke at midnight while I was preparing a court bundle due out the next morning. At 2am, I was still there coaxing it back to life. Lesson learned – we’ve had a backup copier ever since.
Starting out in Harrogate wasn’t without its challenges either. Coming from a respected Leeds firm, I was the new kid on the block. Nobody knew me, and a few probably saw me as unwelcome competition. So I focused on what I could control – doing a great job for every client. Slowly but surely, word spread, and the referrals followed.
Finding the right people has always been both the biggest challenge and the biggest reward. Recruiting the right lawyers – those who aren’t chasing the “bright lights” of Leeds – has never been easy.
How Family Law has changed – and why we’ve adapted
When I started, I was Chair of Resolution just as austerity was biting. I remember meeting, as part of a group of solicitors, the local MP to discuss the intention to restrict legal aid. We tried to warn him that it would clog up the courts – and it did. Without representation, people were left to navigate complex procedures alone, and the system simply couldn’t cope.
These days, I do very little court work. Most cases are resolved privately, through negotiation or private judges. It’s better for clients – less adversarial, more efficient, and much less dependent on whether the photocopier is in a good mood.
Pride and persistence
If I had to sum up what I’m most proud of, I’d say: surviving.
When I started Harrogate Family Law, it was just after the credit crunch. I had two very young children, a wife who was busy looking after them, just my income (whatever it might be) to support us all, and no bank willing to lend to a new law firm. I borrowed against my house, took a personal loan, and crossed my fingers. The business had to work within six months. Thankfully, it did.
Fast forward to today, and I’m surrounded by an exceptional team – many of whom have grown with the firm. Watching them develop into respected lawyers has been one of the greatest rewards of all.
Receiving Managing Partner of the Year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards in 2021 was a proud moment – not because I love trophies (although they do look nice on a shelf), but because of the recognition from my peers.
What clients value most
Our clients come to us during some of the hardest times in their lives. We never forget that. We tailor our approach to each person – there’s no “one size fits all” in family law. Our independent reviews say it better than I ever could: clients consistently describe feeling supported, informed, and expertly guided.
We also have particular expertise in high-conflict cases. These are complex, emotionally charged situations – but our calm, steady approach gives clients the clarity and confidence to find their way through.
The next 15 years
Looking ahead, my focus is on developing our people and maintaining the quality that has defined us. We’ve never chased growth for growth’s sake.
Over the years, we’ve learned that the best way to maintain our standards is to train our own. That’s why we’ve invested in paralegals and apprentice solicitors who are learning the Harrogate Family Law way from the ground up. They’re the future of the firm – dedicated, empathetic, and highly skilled.
Co-Director Laura Mounsey’s leadership, insight, and steady support have been invaluable in helping to guide the firm forward. It’s reassuring to know the future of Harrogate Family Law is in such capable hands.
Fifteen years on, we’ve traded in the thermos for a coffee machine, upgraded our copiers, and expanded our team – but the heart of the business remains the same: helping people find their way forward, one family at a time.
