Ms Michaels is the firm’s managing director, Mr MacPhail is a director and partner, and Mr Gordon will retain the title of senior associate.

NDA Law specialises in tax and succession planning; family and business services; commercial transactions and structuring; intellectual property; technology, education and research; and digital/new media.

Ms Michaels claimed that a growing number of SME clients are prepared to move their services from larger players if a boutique firm has key expertise, a lower cost base and a more flexible approach to charging clients.

“They can get expert advice with better attention to their individual requirements from a smaller law practice willing to go the extra mile with them,” she added.

NDA Law has a profit-sharing scheme in place and encourages flexible work arrangements, Ms Michaels added, noting that the firm plans to foster a positive internal culture.

“Commercial law firms generally don’t have the best reputation for providing a nurturing environment so we really wanted to take a new approach and to pay particular attention to making sure we have a really strong internal culture that … embraces teamwork,” she said.

“We believe if you have a happy and harmonious workplace, it shows in the way you interact with clients.”