From newly qualified Solicitor to Managing Director

On 6 September 1999, Duncan Morter joined Crombie Wilkinson as a newly qualified solicitor in the property team. Twenty seven years later, he is the firm's Managing Director, having progressed through every stage of the career ladder along the way. 

As part of our staff careers profile series, we asked Duncan to reflect on his journey, what has changed over the years, and what continues to motivate him today.  This is what he told us.

What first attracted you to a career in law? 

My route into law was slightly unusual. I studied music at Cambridge University as an undergraduate, but I had always been interested in law and decided to pursue it as a career. Once I started law school at the College of Law in York, I knew I had made the right decision. 

After completing my training contract in Oxford, I moved to York and joined Crombie Wilkinson as a newly qualified solicitor in September 1999. I immediately felt at home and have never really looked back. 

How has your career developed since then? 

One of the things I am most proud of is having had the opportunity to progress through the firm over a long period of time. 

I joined as a newly qualified solicitor, before becoming an Associate, Senior Associate, Head of Department, Salaried Director, Equity Director and, since 2012, Managing Director. 

That journey has given me a real appreciation of the different stages of a legal career and the opportunities available within the firm. I hope it demonstrates that career progression at Crombie Wilkinson is open to anyone with the ability, commitment and ambition to develop themselves and seize those opportunities. 

What has changed most during your time at the firm? 

Almost everything! 

When I joined the firm in 1999, I didn't even have a computer on my desk. We worked with paper files, dictation tapes and largely manual processes. 

Since then, I have seen the arrival of the internet, smartphones, digital case management systems, remote working, video meetings and now artificial intelligence. The legal profession has changed enormously during that time and the way we deliver legal services continues to evolve. 

Yet despite all that change, the fundamentals remain remarkably similar. Clients still want lawyers who are accessible, approachable and good at what they do. The tools we use have changed dramatically, but the importance of delivering excellent client service has remained constant throughout my career. 

What has impressed me most is the way the firm has consistently adapted and evolved. We have never been afraid to embrace change when it benefits our clients or our people. 

Today we are more than twice the size we were when I joined and continue to invest heavily in technology, systems, training and career development. 

What motivates you now as Managing Director? 

The projects and priorities may change, but the underlying purpose remains the same. 

What motivates me is helping to build a successful independent law firm that provides excellent careers for our people and excellent service for our clients. 

In recent years that has involved everything from career progression programmes and the CW Academy to technology projects, process improvements and exploring how AI can support our teams. The individual initiatives evolve over time, but they are all part of the same long-term objective of building a stronger firm for the future. 

I am fortunate to work with talented colleagues who care deeply about our clients and about helping the business continue to improve. There is always a new challenge, a new opportunity or a new problem to solve, which means there is never a dull day. 

What are you most proud of? 

Naturally, becoming Managing Director is something I am proud of, but I am equally proud of the culture we have built together as a firm. 

The achievements that mean the most are often those that reflect the efforts of the whole team rather than any individual. Maintaining Investors in People Gold accreditation, achieving and retaining Lexcel accreditation and continuing to invest in the development of our people are all examples of that. 

Ultimately, no one succeeds on their own. My own career has only been possible because of the support, encouragement and expertise of colleagues throughout the business. The same team spirit remains one of the firm's greatest strengths today. 

What advice would you give to someone starting their career? 

Find an area of work that genuinely interests you and then focus on becoming really good at it. 

Build strong relationships with clients and colleagues, be willing to learn from others and look for opportunities to develop yourself. The legal profession can be demanding, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. 

Most importantly, remember that careers are marathons rather than sprints. The opportunities available to you today may be very different from those available in five or ten years' time. 

Looking ahead 

Although the legal profession will undoubtedly continue to change over the coming decades, Duncan believes the firm's core purpose will remain constant. 

I would like to think that Crombie Wilkinson will continue to be what it is today: a successful, independent law firm providing excellent service for clients and a great place for talented people to build long-term careers. 

When I joined in 1999, I could never have imagined becoming Managing Director. Hopefully, somewhere in the firm today there is a trainee, apprentice or newly qualified solicitor who will be leading the business in the future.