Applying the Power of Story to Reimagine an Annual Review

With a distinguished presence in the UK legal sector, Burges Salmon stands out with its team of 425 lawyers and over 700 employees. Faced with the yearly challenge of creating an annual review, Burges Salmon decided that this particular year, they wanted to create an annual review that people would actually read.

HarveyDavid brought invaluable insights and experience to the table, especially as David Sloly, one of the founders of the agency, is a highly respected author and speaker on the art of business storytelling. With extensive experience and credentials including a published guide on crafting business stories and appearances at prestigious forums like TEDx and SXSW, the HarveyDavid team were uniquely positioned to elevate Burges Salmon’s annual review into a compelling narrative.

Working with the senior partners to handpick stories that articulated the firm’s ethos, capabilities, and agility the agency then conducted interviews with Burges Salmon clients across various sectors, including nuclear, self-driving cars, and fashion. Using journalistic skills, HarveyDavid created a series of stories that took the reader inside the challenges of a law firm and unpacked the twists and turns it takes to get the job done. 

Far from just listing company achievements and client testimonials, the review became a page-turner, with large, rich images and compelling stories, each infused with daring legal plot lines brought to life by real-life characters representing the firm and clients seeking a resolution.

The annual review served multiple strategic purposes. It attracts prospective talent, inspiring current staff and conveying to clients that Burges Salmon is a forward-thinking law firm capable of “speaking in plain English.” This approach has positioned Burges Salmon as an innovator in legal services, setting a new standard for how law firms engage with their audience.

Deliverables: Strategic storytelling, content creation, interview conduction, and digital content strategy.