Legal 500 – Halliwells demise rocks market
THE demise of North West law firm Halliwells this summer was the stand-out event in the region’s legal scene this decade, let alone this year.
While the recriminations and after-shocks of the collapse of the one-time high flyer will continue to be felt for many months, it has unlocked new opportunities in the North West for other firms, this year’s Legal 500 reveals.
Birmingham-based HBG Gateley Wareing is one such new entrant to the region’s legal scene and now has a 200-strong team in Manchester, including 40 partners in key areas such as corporate, banking and real estate.
The national firm was one of three which acquired Halliwells’ assets – the others being insurance specialist Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Hill Dickinson which consolidated its status as a regional heavyweight with its swoop for Halliwells’ Liverpool office.
The Legal 500 review for 2010, which was being completed as the Halliwells situation was unfolding, still includes the firm, based on the work it did in 2009.
TheBusinessDesk.com is reporting on the key findings from the annual report in a series of daily articles this week, in association with NatWest.
Steve Lewis,relationship director, Solicitors & Professionals Unit, at NatWest in Manchester said: “The Legal 500 continues to profile and benchmark the region’s strongest firms and NatWest is delighted to sponsor this year’s survey.
“The current economic climate presents a challenge to firms of all sizes and as a consequence NatWest is committed to supporting firms in this important sector of the local economy.
“NatWest has associations with all of the major legal groups and provides a comprehensive seminar programme tailored to meet the needs of regional law firms. We also offer specially trained and industry accredited relationship managers to help each firm achieve its business goals.”
Aside from Halliwells, Legal 500 says in its regional review: “Manchester is undoubtedly the corporate centre of the North West, and home to offices of all of the regional heavyweight law firms.
“Liverpool is strong in public sector work, and also, traditionally, transport work. Chester dominates in private client work, particularly agriculture, and northern cities such as Preston and Bolton have good commercial firms, servicing the region’s SMEs.”
The title lists the region’s heavyweight firms as: Addleshaw Goddard ; DLA Piper; Eversheds; Pinsent Masons; Beachcroft; Brabners Chaffe Street; Cobbetts; DWF, Hammonds, Hill Dickinson; Pannone; Mace & Jones and Weightmans.
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In its review of the major players, Legal 500 praises Addleshaw Goddard’s “very strong base in the region”.
It adds: “It has strength in depth across the commercial spectrum, and has maintained a steady flow of business despite the recession.
DLA Piper, which has offices in Manchester and Liverpool is lauded for providing “high-calibre advice across the board, particularly in the corporate sector.”
Eversheds is praised for its adaptability, which Legal 500 speculates will help it ride out the recession.
Pinsent Masons’ strong reputation in construction and the strides it has made in boosting its corporate and banking teams are highlighted by the respected title.
The research highlights Beachcroft’s strength in employment and insurance, while Brabners Chaffe Street’s merger with Bremners has boosted its private client and social housing practices.
Cobbetts, which has been hit by the recession in the property sector, is recognised for its professional public sector offering, particularly in employment, health and local government.
DWF’s insurance department had a “fantastic 2009” says Legal 500, and has “caused a stir in the corporate market place” with high-profile hires such as Stephen Houston and Nancy Kelsall, both from Addleshaw Goddard.
Hammonds is described as “something of a dark horse in the region”, with its profile not keeping up with the quality of work it undertakes.
Hill Dickinson, which has strengthened its Liverpool presence with its Halliwells acquisition and also entered Yorkshire, is praised for having “one of the broadest practices in the region.”
Pannone is described as “a Manchester institution” and is lauded for “continuing to impress in claimant injury work and family advice, but also has depth on the corporate side.”
Mace & Jones’ private client work is highlighted as a strength, while Weightmans’ Liverpool-based police and local authority work, and is also recognised.
To download a full copy of the latest The Legal 500 chapter on the North West, including comment from NatWest, click here
Meanwhile, among the smaller firms in the region, Manchester firm Stripes was rated for the first time, with all four departments – corporate, commercial litigation, employment and commercial property – making the list.
