Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Edward Miller | Co-Founder and Partner at Madison Legal Ltd

Edward Miller is a partner and founding member of Madison Legal, specializing in Financial Services Litigation, Cross-Border Litigation, Property Litigation, and Company/Commercial Litigation. He has a wealth of experience in Banking Litigation and Offshore Contentious Trusts, with a diverse client base that includes bridging lenders, high-net-worth individuals, international companies, and sports and media personalities. Edward previously worked at a Magic Circle firm and spent nearly two years practicing Offshore Litigation in Jersey with a large global offshore law firm. He also gained invaluable banking experience at Morgan Stanley’s Legal Department in both London and New York, navigating the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis. Outside work, Edward enjoys attending music concerts and football.

Blue Ocean: Tell us about your professional journey and what led you to become a founding partner at Madison Legal.

Edward: I started working as a barrister and trained for it in England & Wales. Initially, I wasn’t sure whether to pursue civil or criminal law, as I enjoyed both. After university, I worked in chambers with top firms of solicitors in London and gained experience in various cases. I have always wanted to be directly involved in cases, so I began taking on more cases from the beginning to the end. Later, I cross- qualified as a solicitor , which meant taking additional courses and gaining more knowledge.

About 16 years ago, I met some of Madison’s future founding members—Daniel Feetham KC, Rowan Pennington-Benton—while working on a large arbitration. At the time, we were part of another firm and considered merging with its litigation department. After debating the timing and approach, we finally took the plunge in November 2021. We secured our license and went all in, launching Madison Legal full-time.

Blue Ocean: What recent market trends in financial services litigation have you found most impactful, and how do you foresee these trends evolving in the next few years?

Edward: As I mentioned, Madison Legal focuses on litigation and solvency. I think the market will continue to grow, with fluctuations, as firms—especially smaller companies—keep building up and facing solvency issues. These aren’t just law firms; companies across various sectors are encountering challenges. Currently, we’re seeing numerous insolvency cases, with many companies struggling to pay their bills. We often engage on the creditor side, working with accountants and insolvency practitioners.

Many companies are becoming insolvent, which opens the door to potential claims against directors, officeholders, and third parties. I anticipate another wave of insolvencies followed by a resurgence, with this cycle likely continuing over the next five to six years.

Blue Ocean: As a founding member of Madison Legal, what does a typical day look like for you?

Edward: A typical day involves meeting with clients, planning strategies for their cases, drawing conclusions, and taking action on various cases. It also includes delegating tasks to junior staff and ensuring the team at Madison Legal is well-supported. We regularly catch up in our London office, though Daniel splits his time between England and Gibraltar. On challenging days, it’s a mix of legal work, managing client relationships, and handling business operations to ensure we’re growing and turning a profit.

It is like a family—keeping clients satisfied, staying involved with our bigger clients, and supporting the team. My day focuses on client management, not only ensuring clients are happy but also making sure Madison Legal’s staff have the assistance they need. We handle training issues, catch up regularly, and deal with operational tasks like managing suppliers, licenses, and insurance.

Edward Miller [Co-Founder and Partner at Madison Legal Ltd]

Blue Ocean: With your extensive experience in financial services and banking litigation, what unique services or strategies does Madison Legal offer that set it apart from other firms?

Edward: I’d probably say two things. First, our availability. While it’s not 24/7, we prioritize a quick response to client inquiries, which keeps clients happy and sets us apart from other firms. In my experience, larger firms are not as fast, and we’ve taken on several cases because of this.

The second is cost. We don’t have huge offices in Central London or pay large teams of associates just to take notes. I come from a more practical background. Global firms and banks pay high fees to their associates and recover those costs from clients. While we’re not the cheapest firm around, we delegate work to the right people and operate more economically. We take on a mix of smaller cases and high-value claims, sometimes reaching into the billions, and we’re holding our own and moving toward higher ground. By handling only a select number of these larger claims, we make sure we can serve our clients and deliver the best results possible.

Blue Ocean: As a Global Advisory Board Member for MediateGuru, how do you see the role of mediation evolving in the legal industry?

Edward: When I think about mediation, I think specifically about its role in the UK. Recently, there have been cases of compulsory mediation, though traditionally, mediation has always been encouraged as part of ADR in general, not enforced. Courts in the UK encourage ADR, and if you don’t attempt mediation or ADR, it could cost you more. Mediation is usually confidential and privileged between the parties, but there have been orders requiring parties to enter compulsory mediation. However, this doesn’t always get the best feedback from clients, as it can be expensive.

Mediation remains a useful tool, and we encourage our clients to pursue it when appropriate. Now, we can also leverage AI to streamline the mediation process, going through bundles of documents to identify relevant information. But the bottom line is advising the client effectively.

Blue Ocean: What do you believe is the key to your success in managing complex litigation cases, and how do you stay ahead in such a competitive legal environment?

Edward: I think it is about understanding what you want to achieve. What’s your endgame? With careful planning and strategy, we can reach that objective. Not all law firms do that. We are more proactive, trying to manage and strategize five to six steps ahead rather than just being reactive. This proactive approach allows us to work out a structure around our plans.

As I said, engaging and planning with your client from the early onset is essential. I think this proactive strategy is what differentiates us from other firms.

Blue Ocean: Reflecting on your career, what advice would you give to your younger self when you first entered the legal profession?

Edward: I would say that you are your best asset. The landscape is changing. When I started, lawyers’ goal was to become an equity partner but that’s not everyone’s goal now. So, do your best, speak to the partners, and own up to any mistakes. Get involved and communicate. We all make mistakes; just learn from them. When I was starting, I moved around a couple of firms, and new people often asked me why. I think you should give yourself some credit while taking on a job.

Blue Ocean: What hobbies or interests do you pursue outside of work, and how do they help you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Edward: I have a 10-year-old son who is very much into football, so that takes up a lot of my time. I also enjoy attending music concerts regularly, which are amazing in London. I devote a lot of my time to football and am trying to set up an interleague as well.

Edward Miller with his son

Blue Ocean: What is a quote that resonates with you, and why?

Edward: A quote that resonates with me the most is “Do your best.” It may not be a typical quote, and I might be paraphrasing, but it’s the one that has made me think since I was young. I believe it’s better to do your best and try to be there before everyone else. Also, don’t be disappointed when you fail; just keep giving your best.

Conclusion

Edward Miller’s journey as a founding partner of Madison Legal highlights the dynamic nature of financial services litigation and the importance of proactive client engagement and strategic planning. His experiences offer valuable guidance for aspiring lawyers navigating their paths in the legal profession.