Coodes

Coodes Solicitors - legal advice for life.

Chair: Peter Lamble

Number of Partners: 24

Number of other lawyers 76

Coodes is a leading business and private-client practice in the South West. Serving clients around the UK and beyond, the firm prides itself on delivering practical legal solutions that combine technical expertise with human approachability. It has a strict ‘no-jargon’ policy.

For business clients, Coodes focuses on understanding the commercial and strategic priorities before developing solutions that help them achieve their goals, protect their assets and preserve their reputations. In personal or family matters, Coodes focuses on empathy, understanding the clients’ problems from their perspective and then providing practical advice and support through difficult times. And, while the firm always strives to achieve time and cost-efficient resolutions to client issues, it is very well equipped and experienced in escalating matters, through litigation and ADR where necessary, to the highest levels, drawing on an extensive network of third-party experts across finance and accounting, planning and surveying, and healthcare and medicine.

The firm provides expert legal advice across the entire spectrum of business and personal matters, from employment contracts and commercial tenancies to mergers and acquisitions and investment funding, and from wills and probate, and property conveyancing to criminal defence and personal injury claims. With a network of offices across Cornwall and Devon, the firm has developed a deep understanding of the region’s economy and market, with particular strength in tourism and leisure, rural businesses, and farming and landed estates.

Heritage and professionalism

Coodes Solicitors has been around for 277 years, helping individuals and businesses face a huge variety of legal challenges, regionally, nationally and internationally. While its heritage and connection to the South West are important parts of its identity, Coodes is a modern, forward-looking law firm with bold ambitions and a progressive culture. The firm has been active in attracting top talent from around the country and has invested in state-of-the art systems to enable its teams to best support their clients. Many of its lawyers are nationally recognised for their expertise, both in legal directories and in national awards.

As part of its commitment to providing excellent working conditions and supporting its DEI initiatives, Coodes has fully embraced agile working, enabling experienced professionals to maximise their contribution while balancing the changing demands of home life and aligning the firm’s services with its clients' evolving needs.

Invested in the community

The firm’s leadership has gone to great lengths to create a supportive and inclusive environment for its people and clients, and to maintain a close, meaningful relationship with the region. This includes actively supporting access to legal advice for disadvantaged sections of the local community, and inspiring and supporting interest in legal careers at local schools and colleges.

A large number of Coodes partners are involved either as trustees, governors or as active volunteers for local schools, charities and community groups. This commitment to providing rewarding careers is reflected in Coodes’ Silver Investors in People accreditation.

The firm supports a huge range of charities through its fundraising efforts, from local playgroups to regional hospices. Members of the team have this year been involved in arranging sponsorship events to increase fundraising and active volunteering, and tree planting with a local initiative.

Coodes takes its environmental and ethical responsibilities very seriously and is in the process of applying for B-Corp accreditation, to help it embed environmental and social impact throughout its business. This is a natural progression from the work it has been doing to reduce its carbon footprint.

Regional offices and outreach

Whilst many organisations are reducing their physical estate, Coodes recognises how important it is for clients in a largely rural community to be able to access services locally. It is committed to maintaining its office network and recently expanded its footprint by investing in two new office spaces. These new spaces provide improved facilities, both for its staff and clients. The firm also offers a number of free-to-attend legal clinics in towns where it does not have offices to ensure that everyone can access high-quality legal advice, regardless of their circumstances.