Bristol-based legal costs specialists Paragon Costs Solutions has promoted Claire Bullock to the newly-created position of legal director.
Claire, pictured, is an experienced costs lawyer who formed Paragon with managing director Nick Lee in 2011.
She will now assume greater responsibility for the firm’s growth by continuing to develop its work in her specific practice areas, managing relationships with key clients, and directing, supervising and mentoring senior costs lawyers. 
Claire will continue to provide expert advocacy and technical support to clients for all types of litigation, as well as leading Paragon’s Court of Protection practice area.
She will also retain her role as committee member at the Bristol branch of Women in Banking & Finance.
Paragon’s 21-strong team of specialist costs lawyers, draftsmen and support staff regularly prepare and advise clients on costs budgets, conduct Costs Case Management Conferences (CCMCs) and deal with the well-known costs assessment process and any advocacy.
The firm was launched with Nick and Claire advising just one client. It has since increased its turnover by 500% and now advises national and international clients, Top 100 law firms, small-and-medium-sized high street law practices, international banks and insurance companies.
Claire said: “The growth of the business has provided us with an opportunity to review and redefine the ever-changing role of a costs lawyer.
“Our engagement begins with guiding clients through the various funding arrangements that may be available for their clients. We then help them budget their case, gain the court’s approval of the budget and proceed to the detailed assessment process.
“I am very pleased to be leading a team whose focus remains on gaining a thorough understanding of its client’s practice area. Our clients trust us to get all three steps of the costs management process right, which, in turn, lays the foundation for long-standing commercial relationships.”
Nick Lee added: “The introduction of the legal director position, and the recent appointment of four practice area specialists and client managers, reflect the changing legal requirements of our clients who continue to seek guidance from genuine costs specialists, and the expertise of the individuals providing the advice.
“Talent management is also incredibly important at Paragon and it’s vital we recognise our costs lawyers’ strengths, reward their hard work and successes and support their career aspirations, while ensuring they continue to deliver the high-quality legal advice our clients have come to expect.”
Claire’s promotion follows the recent appointment of experienced Paragon costs lawyer, Lucy Baldwin to the position of co-chair of the Bristol Law Society’s Women Lawyers Division.
Lucy, together with fellow legal professional Terri Anson-Dean from Bristol-headquartered national law firm TLT, will oversee a 13-strong committee at the Bristol branch of the organisation which supports and advises solicitors, including LPC (legal practice course) graduates, roll members, women on a career break and retirees.
