Who we are
CATALYST lex is an independent consulting firm offering strategic Advice, Due Diligence and Coaching to a single core client base, the world’s leading law firms.
Our purpose is to counsel law firm leaders on complex strategic decisions and help them navigate necessary change through intricate partnership structures.
We have acquired a unique level of insight into the global legal market through advising law firms on their most significant strategic and organisational challenges.
Our contribution includes framing propositions, creating persuasive narratives and benchmarking choices against alternative options by analysing the implicit and explicit risks along the critical path to successful execution.
This body of work has not only given us in-depth knowledge of the premium legal market, but also allowed us to build relationships with leaders at many of the world’s most respected law firms.
Our Mission
The premium legal market is poorly served with the high-quality consulting and strategy implementation tool-box readily available to other sectors. CATALYST lex’s mission is to provide law firms with bespoke consulting services based on deep sector knowledge, organisational understanding and cultural sensitivity.
Diversity
CATALYST lex is committed to enhancing levels of diversity, inclusion and belonging. Often this requires proactive intervention at a firm-wide level whether to increase internal opportunities or attract the most capable individuals from the external market. Relying purely on existing approaches and networks tends to replicate historic diversity profiles.
Community
CATALYST lex is committed to ensuring a positive impact on our communities and environment. We donate 10% of the firm’s revenue each year to causes promoting social mobility and improving the life chances of young people in the UK. We currently support the following projects:
- The Prince’s Trust Explore programme in Belfast
- Making the Leap – a grass roots societal change charity focused on expanding youth opportunities in London
- IntoUniversity – Norwich and Great Yarmouth learning centres
- Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge – widening participation programmes including STEM START and The Bridging Project
- Every Youth – a UK-wide movement of local charities that have created a shared platform to tackle youth homelessness
Anthony May
Anthony is the founder and principal of CATALYST lex.
Over the last two decades Anthony has advised major professional services firms, multinational corporates, financial institutions and government entities on executive search, strategy and leadership development.
Having led the legal practice at Whitehead Mann/Korn Ferry from 2001, Anthony co-founded Hedley May in 2009 convinced that an executive search firm should offer clients a more sophisticated level of strategic insight and help them realise competitive advantage.
He is particularly respected for his knowledge of the global legal market, working with the world’s leading law firms on many of their most complex competitive challenges including combinations, strategic investments, culture change, governance and reward models.
Throughout his career Anthony has been fascinated by the critical role leadership, both professional and functional, plays in driving the success of scaled law firms. He completed the Meyler Campbell Mastered Coaching Program in 2019 to refine his ability to support the development of the individuals entrusted by their partners to lead global law firms.
Anthony began his career in corporate finance with a leading US bank in London and New York. He has an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science from St John’s College, University of Cambridge.
Team
CATALYST lex works with an experienced team of research professionals and has access to an extensive network of consulting and coaching expertise which can be drawn upon for specific assignments.
