A Year of Responsibility, Reflection, and Resolve

As 2025 draws to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting less on numbers or milestones, and more on responsibility. Much of that reflection has happened not behind a desk, but in quieter moments with friends — many of whom I once served alongside.

The past twelve months have been demanding — intellectually, professionally, and at times personally. Much of our work at Alma Law sits in areas of law where delay, uncertainty, and institutional pressure are common and often unavoidable. This year brought that into particularly sharp focus.

What stood out for me was not simply the sheer volume of work, but the weight of decision-making that comes with acting for people whose lives, livelihoods, and dignity are bound up in the outcome of their claims. Many people are understandably anxious about litigation. When faced with unfamiliar processes and unfamiliar language, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure what to do next. A significant part of my role this year has been helping clients understand, in clear and honest terms, the risks, benefits, and practical consequences of the choices in front of them — so that any decision to proceed is informed, measured, and one they take ownership of.

Learning from a difficult year

2025 reinforced something I have long believed: not every case that can be run should be run, and not every opportunity to grow is worth taking.

There were moments this year when restraint mattered more than speed, and judgment mattered more than momentum. I made conscious decisions to prioritise careful case selection, transparency with clients, and professional integrity over short-term gain. That approach is not always the easiest path, but it is the right one.

I was also reminded — repeatedly — of the importance of collaboration. Whether working alongside charities, counsel, experts, or fellow solicitors, progress is rarely achieved in isolation. The best outcomes this year came from clear communication, shared purpose, and mutual respect.

This year has also reinforced the importance of experience and judgment in specialist areas of law. Military claims, in particular, are not an add-on nor something learned quickly. For those navigating these cases — often while vulnerable — clarity, honesty, and genuine expertise matter far more than confident marketing.

What this year reaffirmed

If 2025 reaffirmed anything, it is that good lawyering is not about volume, noise, or bravado. It is about judgment, patience, and being prepared to say uncomfortable things when necessary — particularly when justice moves slowly or imperfectly.

For those we act for, especially members of the Armed Forces community, access to justice is not an abstract concept. It is felt in delays, uncertainty, and the strain placed on individuals and families. Keeping that reality at the centre of the work we do has guided every major decision I have taken this year.

Looking ahead to 2026

I approach 2026 with a sense of calm determination rather than optimism for optimism’s sake.

There will be challenges ahead — legal, procedural, and cultural — but also opportunities to do better work, in better ways, for the right reasons. The focus remains on depth over breadth, quality over quantity, and advocacy that is both principled and practical.

The aim is not to be the loudest voice in the room, but the reliable one.

To those who have trusted Alma Law this year — clients, colleagues, and professional partners — thank you. And to those navigating difficult decisions or uncertain claims as the new year approaches, know that careful, considered advice still matters, perhaps now more than ever.

Grant Evatt, Managing Director, Alma Law