Michael Samuel is a founding Partner along with Mervyn Miller of the pre-merged firm Miller Samuel, establishing the firm in 1973. Michael was pivotal in the development of the business, which grew from a small start-up to become one of the larger legal firms in Scotland. For over forty years, Miller Samuel practised independently until joining forces with Hill Brown to establish Miller Samuel Hill Brown. This Thursday, December 14th, marks 50 years to the day since the pre-merged firm of Miller Samuel was set up. We are proud to have several staff members who have been with us for 30 years! To commemorate this special day, we sat down with Michael to reflect on the last five decades and share his story with you.
What inspired you to start your own law firm?
“It was a different time back then... To start a business, you would need to build a good relationship with your local Bank and Building Society, managers, and staff. This would help you in getting clients recommended by the bank manager and vice versa, leading to a reciprocal business relationship.”
“Mervyn and I wanted to find a way to support our families financially. We asked ourselves what could we offer with a chance of business? We realised that as young people, we could bring innovation and a strong work ethic to the table. We also knew that we could provide excellent service, as we were just starting out and had a lot to prove. We decided to take the plunge and began our venture in a small office on Mitchell Street but then the Three-Day Week happened.”
“During the Three-Day Week there was a shortage of electricity, so people were only allowed to use power for three days a week. If you had access to candles, you could work the other days of the week. This meant that for two days in the middle of winter, there was no electricity at all. There were no electric typewriters, mobile phones, or computers back then. People had to rely on phones to do their work, and sometimes they would come back from lunch to find a backlog of twenty-six phone calls waiting for them. Despite the challenges, we saw this as an opportunity to start new businesses and get ahead.”
"We worked very hard during that period. We took no drawings for the first nine months, nor did we take days off, often working evenings and weekends to keep ourselves afloat. I personally lived with my parents and relied on their support, while Mervyn had to support himself. Fortunately, we received a lot of goodwill from others during that time."
“All the hard work paid off. In the first year, everybody would laugh at this, but we managed to generate a turnover of £29,000. If I recall correctly, we made about £7,500 each, which was twice as much as we would have earned if we stayed with an existing firm. So, it paid off after year 1 and we knew we were going to be alright. We started with just Mervyn, myself, and two secretaries, and over time, the business grew to 105 people, including 16 partners, at its peak.”
Can you share some of your proudest milestones and achievements from the past 50 years?
"We had a stroke of luck in 1976 when a friend of Mervyn's from school, who worked for a property management firm, introduced us to their client who was looking to change lawyers. We interviewed for the job and were amazed when they chose us! They wanted something different, and they picked us because we were young, eager for the business, and willing to work hard - which is precisely what we did. Despite people's doubts that we were too inexperienced to keep such a client, we won the business and built an excellent relationship with them over the years. That was the catalyst that enabled us to build the Commercial Property part of our business and the spin-off from that helped the general business grow. Also at an earlier stage, we formed specialist departments, which was unusual at that time."
What's one lesson you wish you knew before starting your own firm?
“Always expect the unexpected.”
Reflecting on your team over the years, what stands out to you?
"Over the years, the personnel working with me have changed, but I remained a constant presence. People say, 'If you work for them, then you can come work for us too,' I consider it a great compliment. Marie, Diane and Ward have also been a part of this team for around 30 years, which, in my opinion, demonstrates the strength of our teamwork. It takes a diverse group of people to achieve overall success."
What lessons have contributed to your company's success, and how have you overcome obstacles?
"Survival and facing continual pressure every minute, every day for 50 years. As someone I once knew said, ‘The practice of Law in a solicitor’s office goes thus – it's the crisis you've just dealt with, the one you're in the middle of, and the one around the corner you don't know about yet.’ Despite the immense pressure, you handle the situation and can help many people."
“One of the circumstances that taught me why I was in the Law was this chap who helped us with our furniture when we moved into the office back in 1999. We kept in touch with the chap, and unfortunately, he passed away by his own hand following a terrible meeting with his bank to which he was indebted and who held security over his home. The widow came to see me, and she was in a terrible state and asked, ‘Can you help me and my young children? I’m afraid we’ll be made homeless.’ I spoke to the bank and said, ‘Listen, I’m going to make this my life’s work. You, in my view, caused this.’ After a time and much contentious correspondence, the bank relented and agreed to discharge their security without payment, so she didn’t have to repay. I thought this is what I’m here for; I’m here to help people.”
What advice would you give to someone embarking on their own business journey?
“To learn about things. You’re always learning. Learn from others. Learn from your own experiences good and bad. Don’t make the same mistake twice. You think you’ve seen everything until the next day when something different that you’ve never previously experienced comes along.”
How has the legal field changed over the years, and how have you adapted?
"Despite many predicting the demise of the legal profession, we have proven to be very adaptable and resilient. Our firm, along with the wider profession, has successfully navigated modern circumstances and prospered. We continue to improve and evolve in various ways, thanks to our skilled colleagues and the successful merger with Hill Brown which added strength and variety to our areas of law."
Reflecting on all that you have achieved, what advice would you give to aspiring lawyers?
“Work hard, be organised, and keep up to date with the law. Don’t break the rules set down nor the codes of conduct. Pursue your clients’ interests to the best of your ability. Always consider conflict of interest. Treat all others with the respect and consideration that you would wish them to treat you. Remember clients are the most important thing, we’re here for our clients. If we look after our clients, we might be successful too but don’t get it the wrong way round. Keep learning from your experiences, good and bad, and never be complacent.”
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for Michael's expertise and unwavering commitment to the legal profession, which has been truly instrumental in the remarkable success of our firm. We take great pride in celebrating this milestone and eagerly look forward to the bright future of Miller Samuel Hill Brown. As we embark on the next phase of our journey, we remain committed to learning from the past and have established a sound business plan that, together with the support of our colleagues, will undoubtedly fuel our growth and prosperity for years to come.
