Martin Searle Solicitors to become 100% employee owned by April 2026

Fiona Martin and Cate Searle confirm full transition to employee ownership model, rewarding staff with annual tax-free bonuses and democratic control

Brighton-based law firm Martin Searle Solicitors will transition to full employee ownership by 1 April 2026, its co-founders Fiona Martin and Cate Searle have announced. The decision was unveiled at the firm’s 21st anniversary celebration on 11 July, marking a major shift in the firm’s future direction as its founders prepare for retirement.

Under the new structure, 100% of the business will be owned by an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), giving all staff equal stakes in the company, regardless of position. Each employee will not only benefit from annual tax-free bonuses of up to £3,600 but will also have access to company accounts and the right to elect representatives involved in shaping workplace policy and strategic decisions.

Martin and Searle, who met as law students at Brighton Polytechnic in 1990 and later trained together, have built a reputation for ethical, client-focused legal practice. From the outset, they sought to create a firm rooted in social justice, supporting marginalised clients through legal aid and campaigning for equal rights in the workplace.

“Employee ownership aligns our values with the future of the firm,” said Fiona Martin, who leads the Employment Law team and is responsible for marketing. “It fosters transparency, motivation, and long-term commitment while ensuring our staff share in the firm’s success.”

Cate Searle, who heads the Court of Protection and Community Care team and oversees the firm’s finances, echoed the sentiment. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built. This move ensures our ethos and client-centred approach will continue long after we step away,” she said.

Martin and Searle both came to the legal profession with backgrounds in the humanities—Fiona in history, Cate in psychology—and activism, having taken part in the 1987 Sussex University student occupation protesting education cuts. Their drive to champion social causes has been a defining feature of their firm.

In its early years, Martin Searle Solicitors operated under a large Legal Aid housing contract. But as government funding dwindled, they pivoted to providing free legal training and support for community organisations, including Age UK, Citizens Advice, Mind, Alzheimer’s Society, and Community Works. They also launched annual anti-discrimination campaigns, offering guidance to employers and employees navigating maternity rights, disability law, and care funding.

Their decision to move to employee ownership is rare within the legal industry. According to the Law Society, just 20 to 30 of the UK’s 9,000 law firms are employee-owned—around 0.33%. Martin and Searle’s transition sets a significant precedent for smaller firms seeking sustainable, value-driven succession.

“While mergers and acquisitions dominate the legal sector, we’re choosing a different path,” said Fiona Martin. “We’re going against the grain to remain the human face of law—personal, accessible, and accountable. That means handing the reins to the brilliant people who’ve helped us build this practice.”

The founders plan to gradually mentor the firm’s new employee board before stepping back entirely. Their aim is to ensure a seamless transition while preserving the firm’s culture of trust, collaboration, and activism.

Employee ownership will not only offer financial incentives to staff but also empower them with a genuine stake in the business’s future. “We’re confident this model will strengthen our service, protect our values, and keep our clients at the heart of everything we do,” said Cate Searle.