Bell Lamb & Joynson is a leading Liverpool-based law firm with strong roots in private client work and legal aid. Ambitious, technology-focused and people-led, the firm has built a reputation for challenging traditional approaches and embracing new ways to connect with clients.
To support its growth plans, Bell Lamb & Joynson needed consistent, strategic marketing expertise without immediately recruiting a full in-house team. Consortium stepped in as its outsourced marketing department, helping to build momentum, strengthen its profile and lay the foundations for a successful in-house marketing function.
Mike Leeman, Managing Partner, had this to say:
“Consortium never felt like an external agency – they felt like part of our firm. Their understanding of our culture, ambition and people meant the marketing always felt authentic. The growth we’ve achieved, the recognition we’ve gained and the confidence we now have in our own marketing is down in no small part to their support.”
The Brief
Bell Lamb & Joynson is a leading Liverpool-based law firm with strong roots in private client work and legal aid. Ambitious, tech-forward, people-focused and unafraid to challenge the conventions of legal marketing, the firm recognised that to support its growth plans it needed consistent, strategic marketing support – but without the immediate requirement for a full-time hire (just yet!).
We were appointed as their outsourced marketing department, working closely with the partners to raise the firm’s profile, build a strong digital presence and position them as a standout law firm in the North West. Over time, as the firm’s appetite for marketing grew, so too did the scope of support – evolving into a long-term partnership that would eventually support the transition to an in-house marketing function.
The Approach
For two years, we operated as a true extension of the team, embedding itself within the firm and gaining a deep understanding of its culture, people and vision for growth. We developed a flexible marketing strategy that aligned with the firm’s long-term goals, while laying the foundations for future expansion.
Bell Lamb & Joynson’s openness to innovation made the partnership particularly impactful. Together, the teams pushed boundaries around how a more traditional law firm could market itself, quickly building an impressive online presence through review platforms, consistent and engaging social media activity, and visible, confident team members on LinkedIn.
A major area of support was awards and recognition. We led on the writing and submission of multiple award entries and legal directory submissions, crafting compelling narratives around their work, people and impact. Over the last three years, this resulted in an exceptional 40 award shortlists, with 18 wins and numerous highly commended accolades – significantly raising the firm’s regional and national profile.
In July 2024, they reached a pivotal moment in its growth journey and hired its first in-house Marketing Executive, Martha Clayton. We worked closely alongside Martha as she settled into the role, providing hands-on support, dividing responsibilities and delivered a bespoke two-day legal marketing crash course at Consortium’s office. This gave Martha the opportunity to learn directly from experienced marketers with both agency and in- house backgrounds.
As Martha grew in confidence and capability, the relationship naturally evolved. Consortium shifted into a mentoring and strategic support role, acting as a sounding board, sense-check and specialist resource. A comprehensive marketing plan was developed, packed with campaign ideas and activity across each practice area, ensuring Martha had a clear roadmap to take forward.
The Outcome
The results of the partnership speak for themselves. Since working with us, Bell Lamb & Joynson has grown significantly in headcount and expanded its footprint, opening three new office locations across the North West. The firm’s digital presence is stronger than ever, with over 2,500 online reviews, its people are visible and engaged online, and its reputation has been reinforced through consistent industry recognition.
In 2025, we supported them in achieving a major milestone: the firm’s first-ever Legal 500 ranking. The criminal law team, known for handling a high volume of complex and high-profile cases, entered the prestigious directory as a Tier 3 firm. This achievement reflects not only the strength of the submission, but the quality of the firm’s work and the people within the department.
In early 2026, Bell Lamb & Joynson took on their first Marketing Apprentice, assisting Martha to further ramp up their marketing efforts. Consortium continues to work with Bell Lamb & Joynson as a trusted partner – providing mentoring, strategic input and specialist support on key projects.
“Joining Bell Lamb & Joynson with Consortium already in place was a huge advantage. The support, mentoring and training I received – especially the crash course in Worthing – accelerated my learning massively. Even now, having Consortium as a sounding board and specialist support gives me confidence to push ideas further and keep raising the bar.” - Martha Clayton
The partnership is a clear example of how we can operate seamlessly as a fully outsourced marketing department, or collaboratively alongside in-house teams to build capability, confidence and long-term success.
We can support your law firm too
If your marketing team could benefit from flexible, experienced support, whether to cover a busy period, bridge a recruitment gap, or finally move important projects forward, we would love to help. To find out more about our marketing support for law firms, call us on 01903 530 787 or fill out our contact form and a member of our team will be in contact soon.
