A LAW firm is toasting a successful first year despite the impact on businesses by the pandemic

VM Family Law has enjoyed a successful 12 months, having quadrupled its number of staff and dealt with more than 250 legal matters in its first year of operation.

Located on Chorley New Road, the firm now comprises of four members of staff with more than 100 years of combined experience.

Victoria Melling, who was also a finalist in this year’s Women in Business category at the SheInspires Awards, set up the company and is an accredited expert in family law.

Despite the challenges that businesses are currently facing, the VM team have thrived, and Melling believes the new normal of virtual meetings has actually helped in many ways.

She said: “Some worried that this would impact their ability to build a rapport with clients, but in my experience it has been easier.

“We can bond over home schooling or interruptions from the dog or the postie. I also think that meeting in the office was quite daunting for many clients who would become very anxious, whereas clients feel more at ease in their own homes.

“Furthermore, remote meetings often allow them to meet when it’s more convenient for them, or when they can have someone with them who might not have been able to come to an office appointment.”