The Law Society has invited the Co-operative Group's sales and marketing director to withdraw comments given to Marketing Week in which he suggests that solicitors fail to meet the needs of their clients.
The comments were made in reference to a new marketing campaign for Co-op's legal service offering. Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson has sent a letter for publication to the editor of Marketing Week.
The Co-op has subsequently disassociated itself from the comments.
Text from chief executive to editor of Marketing Week
Letter for publication
Dear Sirs
The Co-op may provide additional choice for consumers, thanks to their powerful brand and the expertise of their employed solicitors. (Co-op Legal Services launches first campaign 5/6/2013). However, in his enthusiasm, Ian Mackie (Co-op's sales and marketing director) seems to suggest the Co-op have invented client service. They didn't. Solicitor firms of many shapes and sizes have been providing excellent service, including in many cases, fixed price or free initial advice to their clients, for many years. Many also give countless hours of free advice and representation to the most needy in our Society.
Mr Mackie's ignorance of this new area of work for the Co-op may be excusable but bad-mouthing a profession, members of which you employ, isn't going to win credibility in this market (or any other). I invite him to withdraw his comments. He might like to begin to make amends by apologising to every solicitor employed by the Co-op.
Desmond Hudson
CEO, Law Society