In this month’s TSR Legal Meets, Rachel Phillips spoke to Glyn Lloyd, Founder and Managing Partner of Newfields to talk about the boutique firm’s meteoric rise to a national ‘tier 1’ immigration law firm, its commitment to creating an inclusive, equitable business and how it’s target-free, tailor-made services resonate with the needs of sports and business professionals.
Q: What are the highlights for Newfields over the past 12 months?
A: The acquisition of our Exeter office, our fourth office (adding to those in Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol) and the smooth integration of our people and client base.
We have significantly expanded our business and sports teams; for example, we now act for 30% of English Football League Clubs competing in the Championship, whilst maintaining and growing our other sport club portfolio.
In the last 12 months, Newfields secured national tier 1 / band 1 for business immigration in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK Guides, which we are incredibly proud of and reflects our strength in this specialist market.
We have also recently co-authored the International Football Transfer Guide – supporting players, staff managers and agents with immigration guidance.
Q: How does Newfields stand out from the crowd?
A: We are a boutique business and sports immigration law firm, highly collaborative and committed to a fair and equitable culture for our people. We offer cost-sensible solutions and immigration advice that’s tailored to specific sectors, such as sport, business, education, health, and for individuals.
We have specialist teams covering each client base so we can advise on the best immigration solution, with their best interests at heart, often in a very short timeframe.
There are no time recording systems at Newfields and an absence of targets, focusing on client care, expertise and professional development. This is complemented by our 9-day working fortnight. Notwithstanding this, Newfields has continued to grow without loss of service standards.
Q: What are you doing to create an inclusive workplace?
A: The introduction of our nine-day working fortnight, our Winter and Lone Commuting Policy – enabling staff to start work later and leave earlier (which has proved hugely popular in our never-ending winter months!), our absence of targets and time recording removes the stress of the lawyer’s traditional role, ensuring wellbeing and collaboration, and our active social committee has also helped to bring our four offices together.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Newfields?
A: Working with great people from different cultures and backgrounds – from our own people to our clients. We work with a range of individuals and organisations, from sportspeople to household brand names to solve problems and shoulder the bureaucracies of the visa process.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring young lawyers?
A: Law is hard work but so very rewarding – I’d advise anyone to create the role you want and find a culture to support you.
Be proactive – seek opportunities out rather than wait for them to be allocated and be as entrepreneurial as possible. Legal excellence should be a given, it’s an entrepreneurial mindset that can really help you to stand out!
Q: What can we expect to see from Newfields in 2025?
A: Enhanced brand awareness and social media presence, the growth of our Immigration Academy and further expansion in our defined sectors such as our business and sport teams.
You can follow Newfields’ journey on Linkedin.
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