Stephenson: Solicitors at the forefront of our thinking
A new chambers specialising in employment law has opened in London, bidding to break free from the old hierarchical order found in traditional sets.
Parity launched on 7 April, with a four-man team and offices in the landmark Shard building.
The joint heads are David Stephenson and Paras Gorasia, who built their practices over the last two decades at Cloisters, Old Square Chambers, Kings Chambers and Doughty Street.
They are joined by barrister Amritpal Bachu and senior clerk Callum Stebbing.
Mr Stephenson told Legal Futures: “We are creating ‘something different’. We are setting out to break down the barriers that exist between barristers and clients. We are freeing ourselves from the shackles of the hierarchy model and designing a new set based on equality and genuine collaboration between barristers, solicitors and clerks.
“At Parity there is no difference between barristers and solicitors. This is good for client service, this is good for flexibility and it enables true collaboration.”
The team will continue to specialise in employment law, discrimination and whistleblowing.
The new set is launching with a strong client base, many from the world of sport.
But Mr Stephenson said its approach to recruitment and its working culture would be what made it different.
“I first met Paras back in Bar school 20 years ago and we’ve always kept in touch. We were like-minded. The idea behind creating ‘something different’ goes back to our journey from Bar school through to today.”
“The Bar is unique. We are all self-employed and all independent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t collaborate or work as a team, all rowing in the same direction.
“Traditional chambers grow organically, and they don’t necessarily have the ability to recruit individuals into specific areas. So it’s very hard to get a team in traditional chambers where everyone is rowing in the same direction.
“Parity is different because it’s built by design. We wanted to create a new set that can provide a service that is built by design for our clients – our solicitors. That is at the forefront of our thinking.
“Traditional sets are often made up of lots of different people doing lots of different things. Sometimes employment teams can get lost in that, and that may lead to people moving into one or two different areas.
“I’ve always had this thing about being a dabbler or an expert. We are employment experts. That belief in expertise is what has driven me and Paras over the years.”
Mr Stephenson met Mr Stebbing at Doughty Street. “We’re all on the same page and we think as one. That’s rare in experience… In traditional chambers you will have something that may be a priority to a few people, but not to a team, and that can cause friction. If you are all on the same page it makes everything so much easier.”
Mr Stebbing said: “The boutique option is now quite common on the solicitor side. Partners have a vision that is different to the firm and they set up [on their own]. This is our vision. We are employment specialists and that gives us our identity…
“It’s a strange place, the Bar. People jump on board when there is something in it for them, but they don’t want to put in the legwork to get things to the point where there is something for everyone.
“We have always believed in teamwork and collaboration throughout our careers and became friends as a result. We’re very conscious of that culture and want to protect it.”