Empowering Business Leaders: Lessons from New Wave Law's Founder

Becky Ricards Small, the founder of New Wave Law, recently shared her extensive experience and insights with business leaders and directors at this year's VarnFest.

With over two decades of expertise in personal law, specialising in Court of Protection, Mental Capacity cases, Wills, Probate, and Estate Planning, Becky has always envisioned a different kind of law firm—one that breaks away from traditional corporate norms, eliminating oppressive time sheets and ever-mounting targets.

At VarnFest 23, Becky reflected on her journey and the lessons she has learned, as well as shared valuable legal tips with the audience.

Her talk, titled "Law – a new wave, & legal know-how for business," delved into her career trajectory and the pivotal moments that shaped her vision for a new approach to law practice.

Having spent 20 years climbing the legal corporate ladder, Becky absorbed valuable lessons on both managing and, just as importantly, not managing a business in the legal sector. New Wave Law, represents a bold departure from conventional legal firms, driven by her determination to reshape work culture fundamentally.

Becky Ricards Small Speaking at VarnFest 23

Becky illuminated her lessons with four real-life cautionary tales from her personal experience. One of these stories revolves around her initial role at a solicitor's firm, where her persistence eventually landed her a placement. She vividly recalled her time working there, where she performed various tasks like photocopying, answering phones, and cleaning.

However, one fateful day, she decided not to interrupt one of the senior partners, sensing an unnatural silence in his office. Tragically, she later learned that he had suffered a sudden heart attack that morning and passed away in his office. The aftermath of this event was chaotic, with no counselling available for the staff, including a young Becky.

The firm had no partnership agreement in place in case of such an event, and the absence of a will complicated matters for the bereaved family. Furthermore, there were no Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems back then, leading to the loss of crucial knowledge that the partner had held in his head.

Becky shared this poignant example to emphasise the importance of business owners considering what happens to their business in their absence and planning for all possible scenarios.

She urged her audience to contemplate critical questions, such as whether they have a business lasting power of attorney in place to appoint someone to manage the business in their stead. In doing so, she underscored the significance of such planning and safeguards, leaving attendees with a sobering question: "What would happen to the business and its stakeholders if you were suddenly not there?"