Richard Allen

Richard Allen brings approaching 40 years of unique commercial experience to his roles within Burcher Jennings, Validatum and Virtual Pricing Director. He was one of the first professionals to achieve Costs Lawyer status, and is one of a select group of Costs Lawyers to have made partner in a solicitor’s practice.

Since starting out in 1983, Richard has worked his way through both fee earning and costs, dealing with commercial debt recovery, bankruptcy and insolvency, before specialising in personal injury litigation and developing costs expertise. His exceptional work has seen him handling significant litigation and costs caseloads for major City of London, West End and national law firms.

During his career, Richard’s expertise has seen him instrumental in establishing several litigation and costs departments and managing costs teams across multiple office locations, as well as having a central role managing a regional law firm as a partner. Richard has set-up and managed a Costs Department for a top 100 national law firm, in addition to having a significant management role in that practice.

Richard plays a pivotal role in driving the full-service nature of the business, working with clients to boost profitability through a focus on pricing, costs, project and case management, as well as funding. He frequently provides advice in other areas, especially retainers, costs budgeting,
time capture and recovery, WIP valuation, as well as procurement and tender applications. Richard has significant expertise in forensic costs audits and fee disputes, as well as law firm financial due diligence.

He is an experienced trainer, delivering masterclasses in pricing and costs across the UK and internationally, as well as developing bespoke training
programs for clients. He coaches businesses and individuals, who benefit from his hands-on, practical experience. Richard is also a consultant with Validatum, the leading international legal services pricing consultancy and ground-breaking pricing tech business, Virtual Pricing Director.

Richard is a founding and the longest serving non-executive director of the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB), an accredited counter fraud technician and an accredited mediator. He regularly gives presentations to law firms, the bar, accountants and insurers, on a wide range of subjects. He is accredited by CLSB as a Training Provider (CPD).