About Rubric Law
Be confident with our fresh and holistic legal expertise and business experience at Rubric.
Rubric is a team of dedicated solicitors in corporate, commercial, property, and employment law, committed to delivering expert legal solutions for your business needs.
- Our advice is sound and effective – easily accessible with a total package that rivals larger firms.
- We do what we say – our guaranteed communication charter means you know what to expect from us and when.
- We celebrate the individual – encouraging dynamic relationships between our team and you.
- We relish a fresh challenge – every new journey is approached by drawing on our experience and skills.
Our story
We are Rubric Law – a testament to dreams nurtured and hard work. Founded in a bedroom in Bristol in 2012 by James Howell, a knowledgeable solicitor with almost 20 years of experience, Rubric has blossomed into a leading corporate law firm.
In the beginning, our expertise was seen predominantly in the healthcare industry. It’s been quite a journey, one that has led us to act on behalf of one of the globe’s largest veterinary practices.
We now work on behalf of businesses from all industries, with a focus on dentistry, technology, ecommerce and healthcare. Our dedicated team of corporate solicitors has been instrumental in this growth.
As an ambitious visionary, James’s dream was not just about creating another law firm; but about reimagining the very essence of what a law firm could be.
With Rubric, James aimed to transform the often-stiff perception of solicitors, creating a practice that is modern, personable, and approachable, one that values every individual’s unique journey. It’s a vision that we’re not just proud of, but one that has become our identity.
This ethos extends to our internal working culture, characterised by encouragement and growth. James has proudly mentored and trained five legal minds, guiding them to their qualifications as solicitors.
Today, we offer an array of advice for legal matters, from business acquisitions, mergers, and sales to all aspects of employment and commercial property law.
Rubric is more than just a law firm; we’re a team, a family, united by our mission to offer friendly, expert legal guidance to businesses with a modern, approachable touch.
Meet the team...
I am a forward-thinking solicitor and the proud owner of Rubric. My commitment to embracing change and leveraging technology ensures that we provide top-notch client service.
Central to Rubric is the belief that effective communication is key in the legal profession.
Beyond my professional life, I’m a devoted father to my wonderful son and an avid enthusiast of historical architecture. I often unwind by exploring historical buildings and taking leisurely country walks.
I joined Rubric in 2015 to support the office, part-time. Following Rubric’s numerous attempts to convince me to move full-time, I did so in 2020. Now as head of business operations, I handle all things financial, HR, admin and IT.
I love walking and getting out at the weekend to see as much of the countryside as possible. My goal in life is to be happy, find the positive in everything and retire to the North Devon coast, maybe climbing a few mountains along the way.
Ready for a new challenge, I left my police lawyer role in Devon to join Rubric as a corporate solicitor to make full use of my business administration degree. I have a special interest in entrepreneurship and helping businesses thrive and particularly enjoy helping clients expand and eventually sell their businesses.
Outside of the office, I enjoy discovering new food, travelling to new places and watching the F1 and boxing.
I joined Rubric as head of real estate in March 2023 having previously been head of commercial property at a well-established firm in South Wales. With over 15 years of post-qualification experience, I have also worked at an international law firm and have been a partner at a previous firm.
With a keen eye for attention to detail, I act for SMEs, investors, developers, landlords, and tenants in a vast range of commercial property matters.
Outside of work, I am kept busy by my two very small children and enjoy watching cricket and rugby, as well as keeping up to date with current affairs.
I joined Rubric Law at the beginning of 2024. My journey in the legal field has seen me contribute significantly to a large mixed-use estate in Berkshire, and before that, I held the role of a senior associate in a well-established firm in Newbury.
My experience spans from acquisitions and disposals for property investors to navigating high-value portfolio transactions and meticulously handling all facets of leasehold matters.
I am based near Marlborough, where I cherish spending quality time with my family and our energetic dog, exploring the picturesque countryside. I ventured into the world of endurance sports last summer by participating in my first triathlon last summer, a challenging yet exhilarating experience – the jury is out as to whether I will ever do that again!
Joining Rubric in October 2023 as a paralegal within the corporate team, I bring with me three years of post-qualification experience from my home country of New Zealand. Having recently arrived in England, I am eager to get stuck into all the engaging work that Rubric has on its books and help grow the firms existing client base.
My professional ethos is centered around delivering high-quality, pragmatic legal services that not only meet but exceed my clients’ expectations.
Outside of my legal career, I’m passionate about exploring as much of the UK and Europe as possible. I’m always on the lookout for local gems and hidden treasures, so if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them! And of course, I’m always available to discuss any corporate law queries you might have.
As of October 2023 I am the Business and Legal Operations Assistant, helping to organise the day-to-day running of the office. I’ve always been involved in complex admin, if there’s a big document I’m usually the one to read it. I have a unique background in counter-terrorism and bomb disposal contracts, TV and film special effects, and the Scotch Whisky industry.
Outside of work, I’m keen on arts, crafts and music. I’m currently in the Gloucester Choral Society, performing in Gloucester Cathedral, but recently joined in with the London Parliament Choir, and performed at the Vatican’s Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura in Rome, as well as the 2023 Three Choirs Festival. I also love to make corporate and celebration cakes and have recently taught myself to crochet.
Joining Rubric in April 2023, I brought a decade of marketing experience across a range of sectors like TV shopping, fitness, and real estate. At Rubric, I enjoy the challenge of reaching new audiences and love the modern take the team has with their approach to legal services.
Outside the office, I’m a fitness enthusiast, teaching Les Mills BODYCOMBAT and spending quality time in the gym. My personal life is filled with fun with family and friends, and travelling as often as I can.
Let's talk about how we can help...
What makes Rubric different?
Feeling left in the dark and unsure of where you are with your business transaction can be stressful. Rubric takes a hands-on approach to eliminate these frustrations.
Proactive communication. From instruction through to completion we will update you regularly throughout your transaction and promise to respond to enquiries within 24 hours. We start with a kick-off call to find out how and when you’d like to be updated, so you can have peace of mind knowing when your next update is due. Read more about our communication charter here.
Transparent price structure. This will be clearly discussed before any work is started, so you won’t be left with any surprises at the end.
We’re all about keeping to our timeline. With our seasoned experience and efficient processes, we make sure everything runs smoothly and on time.
