Words and Photography by Nadine Wilmanns

Andrew Robins

In conversation with Andrew Robins, co-founder of RSW Law in London

The sky over London is bright blue today, and even though it’s already late morning, the light is still soft – a reminder that autumn is just around the corner. I’m meeting with Andrew Robins, a commercial lawyer in London and one of the founding partners of RSW Law.

Andrews daily work centres on drafting and reviewing contracts for businesses – from terms and conditions to partnership and shareholder agreements. “After 18 years as a lawyer, there aren’t many situations I haven’t come across,” he says with a smile. “I trained at a small firm that handled a wide range of commercial work, and I’ve always been interested in business. So I knew early on that commercial law was the right path for me. I like this kind of focused work, where there’s always a clear structure.”

Six years ago, he co-founded RSW Law with two other lawyers who brought complementary expertise. “Most of our clients come to us through personal recommendations,” he explains.

“Networking must be your thing,” I suggest.

“I’ve definitely built my networking skills,” he nods. “Some referrals come years after first meeting someone and developing that relationship.”

And what has he learned about the art of networking?

“The best introductions are to people who can connect me with many potential clients. For example, if someone introduces me to an estate agent, that’s valuable, because they can refer me to clients who may need a commercial lawyer – whether it’s for buying or selling a property, or for setting up lease agreements for office spaces and other tenancies.”