Legal Director Chris Germaine’s journey to Optimal Solicitors has been a long and winding one. Coming from a family of doctors and medical professionals, he wasn’t content to simply follow in their footsteps, instead choosing to read Law at Dundee University.
But upon graduation, he embarked on a new path at Co-operative Insurance as a graduate trainee in their claims department. Four years later, he decided to return to his legal roots. And the rest, as he tells it, is history…
How did you come to work at Optimal Solicitors?
With two decades of legal experience under my belt, I joined Optimal in 2014. It was already established and trading as a claims management company, but [Founder and Director] Pawel’s ambition was to convert it to a solicitors’ practice. Wider opportunities could then be developed, and we could represent our niche client base for whatever legal issue presented. So, I joined as Legal Director and Compliance Officer.
How have you seen the firm change in the past decade?
When I joined, we were a small team working from a modest office in Preston. Over the years, we have refined our services into new areas and markets, moved to our new office in Eccles, Manchester on Wellington Road, and continuously improved our operational efficiency.
One of the biggest changes was evolving into a fully-fledged solicitors’ practice, which involved adapting our team to new ways of working and expanding our expertise.
The pandemic was an incredible upheaval in terms of working practices. Moving from office-based to primarily working from home was a huge change – the likes of which we will never see again. We had to rethink the basics, like what to do with original documents that would normally be passed to the fee earner for safekeeping.
What has been a personal highlight for you during your time here?
A few years ago I was invited to write an article for The Parliamentary Review detailing Optimal’s experience in the legal market. This was circulated to approximately 500,000 readers and led me to the Leaders of Great Britain events. It was a fantastic marketing opportunity, raising my profile and opening doors for us.
From a personal viewpoint, it was great to meet Jonny Wilkinson at a speaking event, and we had an enjoyable chat about rugby and my fashionable tie!
What legal changes would you like to see from a government level?
Access to justice generally remains a thorny issue. Throughout my career I have seen the industry move from straightforward processes to a wholly new set of court rules, from intimating claims via letter to case management systems and claims portals.
Technology is the greatest driver now. Take my word for it, being a solicitor was a lot easier in the old days! Change happens, I get that… but I feel that we have made the court process too complicated, time-consuming, and contrary to consumers’ interests. It would be great to see some government regulation to relieve some of that.
What is your vision for Optimal Solicitors going forward?
Despite the significant changes we’ve seen, the vision has always been the same: to deliver comprehensive and exceptional legal solutions tailored to each client’s unique challenges, while expanding our reach to empower and support those who need our expertise the most. With a current rating of 4.9 on Review Solicitors and over 2,080 reviews, we are trusted by clients to handle the most complex personal injury, family, and civil cases. Even in the face of adverse market conditions, we want our clients to know that we’re here and we’re focused on them.
Learning from the past, planning for the future at Optimal
Optimal is proud to have been guided by Chris’ expert leadership over the past decade – and now, more than ever, we’re committed to supporting you through your legal matter.
Our dedicated team of solicitors, assistants, and paralegals are the heart of Optimal Solicitors. Specialising in personal injury, family and civil law, each team member brings exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to serve our clients with empathy and excellence. We are passionate about leveraging the latest technological advancements, offering multiple ways for clients to reach us, maintaining a paperless office, and communicating primarily electronically. Our united effort ensures that every client receives the best possible service and support.
Get in touch with our expert team today to start your journey.
