False modesty, perhaps, but the reason why I want to interview him turns out not to be the reason why he is interesting. The impetus for the chat is the recent departure of four partners from his firm amid concerns that the profitability of Hextall Erskine is too low to give people a reason to stay. Bill Jarvis has joined Elborne Mitchell, professional indemnity lawyer Stuart White and fellow partner Davina Haydon joined Reynolds Porter Chamberlain at the end of March, while alternative dispute resolution partner Anna Dalglish has also left the firm, although she is believed to be quitting law altogether. Bundy says that a fifth is just about to leave from the same team, but he is not sure which firm he is moving to, just that it will not be Elborne Mitchell. Bundy, though, says that he is not shedding any tears over the losses.
Profits have dipped, there's no doubt about that.
Bundy begins the interview with this candid confession. I don't know if that's the reason for people going, but when I analyse what the cause for lower profits might be, there's an element of overpartnering and underperforming. Quite honestly, the partners were not busy enough. Blimey, that's not what I expected at all. No fudging the issue there, then.