Businesses
What’s On
Travel Info
MJP Law is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades since founder Martin Pate launched an independent legal practice from his family living room with a mission to make legal advice clearer, more accessible and more client focused.
Martin began his career in government law with the Department for Transport and Department for Environment. Moving into private practice, he wanted to build a firm that offered practical, plain-speaking advice without unnecessary jargon.
The firm’s beginnings were modest. Martin first worked long hours from a dining table at home before opening MJP Law’s first office in Verwood in 2006, after his wife, Wendy, became tired of client files taking over the house! A year later, the firm opened another office in West Borough, Wimborne, in a former bridal shop – a move that led to one of its most memorable early publicity moments.
Playing on the building’s previous life, Martin joked that brides who later found themselves needing a divorce could receive a discount on legal services if they brought their wedding dress into MJP Law. Luckily no brides took up the offer, but the light-hearted campaign earned local and national newspaper coverage and helped put the young firm on the map.
“It was a bit of fun and very much tongue-in-cheek, but it got people talking,” recalls Martin. “We wanted to show that although we take our clients’ legal matters extremely seriously, we were also approachable, human and part of the community.”
Expansion followed through the acquisition of several local firms in Bournemouth, Westbourne and Verwood. Today, this respected independent solicitors’ practice has 30 staff and two offices in Wimborne and one in Kinson. The firm advises clients across residential and commercial conveyancing, wills, probate and trusts and family law.
Martin Pate says the firm’s core values remain the same: excellent client care, transparent fees and a modern, approachable way of working. “When I started out, I wanted to create a legal practice that was client-focused, transparent on fees and free from unnecessary jargon,” said Martin. “People need practical advice they can understand, especially at important and often stressful moments in their lives. That principle has guided us from day one.”
Martin credits hard work, client referrals and networking as key factors in the firm’s success. Today, MJP Law has a dedicated business development manager, Tanya Howie, helping the firm continue to grow.
The firm has also invested in future talent, supporting 15 trainee solicitors over the years, some of whom now run their own practices. MJP Law currently has three apprentices learning their trade.
MJP Law’s commitment to the local community has remained just as important as its legal work. The firm supports local causes including Cherry Tree Nursery, Candles on the Green in aid of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, while Martin continues to play an active role locally as a trustee of the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne and Friends of Victoria Hospital, Vice Chair of Poole Harbour Commissioners and Honoury Solicitor for the New Forest Commoners Association. He also previously served as chair of Wimborne BID.
“We are proud to have grown while staying rooted in the local community,” said Martin.
“Our clients, our team and the people who have supported us along the way have made this milestone possible. Wendy’s support in those earliest days was invaluable, and I’m hugely grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey.”
To mark the anniversary, Martin treated members of the MJP Law team and many clients to a VIP evening at Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Proms in the Park.
