Q&A with Danny Gowan

Danny Gowan has been Senior Partner since 2000 and has overseen the firm's revenues rising by 40% in the last three years.

Q. What makes Davies Arnold Cooper different?

A. Most firms say they are different but we can really claim that we are. We are smaller than typical City firms but within the areas that we specialise we compete for the best work and the best clients. This means that we have a friendly, supportive and non-hierarchical structure while being professional and proud of the work we do. And we also have a strong Hispanic element to our culture with our business focus on Spain and Latin America.

Q. What sort of person are you looking for?

A. We have grown rapidly in recent years and that has meant we have brought people in at all levels. We have had some notable partner hires across all practices – people that come with great experience and who also add to the firm's client base. We have also recruited a very talented mix of associates and solicitors to build real team strength at all levels. And it's not just lateral hires – we are constantly looking at our existing team to identify who is ready to progress and take the next step. We invest heavily in recruitment and we don't want to lose anyone by not presenting them with a suitable challenge.

Q. What kind of person is successful at Davies Arnold Cooper?

A. Someone who wants to get ahead, has ambition, but also realises that a commercial and a friendly environment are not mutually exclusive. We want people who take their obligations to their clients seriously but don't take themselves too seriously.

If you have an interest in dispute resolution, real estate or employment and want the chance to develop client relationships, build a business and work for a firm that is a real alternative to the major city practices, then we're the logical choice.