Michael Buckworth is the founder of Buckworths, the only UK law firm working exclusively with start-ups and high growth businesses. With offices in London and Manchester, most of the firm’s clients are technology businesses, with half of them in the fin-tech space. The remainder are an intriguing mix of product companies, restaurants, and advisory firms.
Michael has a passion for entrepreneurialism, and in the ten years that Buckworths has been in existence, has advised over 1,200 start-ups. His conviction is that every new business is different and deserves advice that’s tailored to its specific risks. Experience has shown him that one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is to view legal services as commoditised. This approach exposes them to potential pitfalls, and can deny them valuable opportunities.
Originally Michael studied law at Oxford University. He then spent several years at the London offices of two of the world’s top-ranked New York law firms, Shearman & Sterling LLP and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. He’s been ‘entrepreneur in residence’ at London South Bank University and University College, London, for several years, and works closely with City University’s entrepreneur scheme. Michael speaks regularly at industry events, and enjoys lobbying government around the subject of start-ups.