Solicitor transforms redundancy into thriving legal firm

Jacob Manuschka
·2-min read
Roy Magara <i>(Image: Magara Law)</i>
Roy Magara (Image: Magara Law)

An employment law solicitor from Bicester has made the most of his redundancy package by using it to launch an award-winning business.

Roy Magara, founder and director of Magara Law, was laid off from his role at a law firm in August 2020 during the pandemic.

He used his redundancy pay-out as the initial investment for his new business, covering start-up costs and getting the venture off the ground.

Roy Magara (Image: Magara Law)

He said: "Poor customer service has led many legal professionals to develop a negative reputation.

"Magara Law was born with the intention of moving away from the legal firm's institutional and cold-hearted stereotype.

"Instead, the firm follows a customer-centric approach which puts the client's best interests at the very core."

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, Mr Magara's business, originally based at Perch Coworking in Elmsbrook, a collaborative enterprise hub offering coworking, business support and office space hire, has thrived.

The firm doubled its forecasted turnover in the first quarter and went on to quadruple its revenue within the first few years.

He continued: "Starting up in the thick of lockdown was a risky move in the eyes of many friends and family, but it was actually a time when excellent customer care was most in need.

"With redundancies, furloughing and the shift to remote working, employment was in a state of flux and, as a new business, I was able to be agile when handling individual circumstances and ever-changing policies."

The firm now has offices in London, Reading and Banbury in addition to Elmsbrook, serving more than 1,000 clients since its establishment.

Mr Magara now leads a team of five, with the firm receiving three business and law awards and four additional nominations.

He said: "When I was made redundant, I never imagined that it would have been the start of something so profoundly positive.

"Running my own firm and taking ownership over how I support my clients has been enormously rewarding, and, looking back, redundancy gave me the push I needed to find that fulfilment from my career.

“I’m now eagerly looking forward to the future of Magara Law, continuing to give our clients the support they deserve."

Lucy Wendon, community manager at Perch, added: "The growth of Magara Law over the last few years has been incredible and is a testament to the passion, talent and hard work of Roy and his team.

"Roy’s courageous decision to pivot from his situation, follow his ambitions and succeed as an entrepreneur has been inspiring to witness and makes him a perfect fit for the small business community at Perch."

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