Martineau Johnson
No of Partners: 42
No of Assistant Solicitors: 62
www.martineau-johnson.co.uk
Martineau Johnson has traditionally enjoyed a comfortable position at the top end of Birmingham’s middle tier but the increasing congestion in this segment of the market has made recent years a little uncomfortable for the firm, one of Birmingham’s oldest major practices.
There are signs, however, that the firm is emerging from a difficult period. Partner profits rose by 26% in 2004, reversing a similar drop in 2002, with particularly strong growth from the firm’s energy and education practices (which include National Grid Transco, RWE Innogy and more than 60 universities and colleges amongst their clients). Martineaus has also moved into new state-of-the-art offices in Colmore Square as it prepares to face the future head-on.
“We have assessed our long-term goals and now have a clearer vision as to who we are and what we shall continue to be famous for in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” says Jon Preston, the firm’s senior marketing manager.
“The evidence of this success is a growing client list and an impressive list of done deals.”
It has done so by significantly increasing its investment in IT and modern working methods and indeed concentrating on what it best-known for – banking and funds, education, energy and high net worth private clients. Martineaus has organised itself into cross-practice teams to concentrate on the automotive, charities, construction and engineering, financial services, manufacturing, public, retail and technology sectors as well as developing a specialist PFI/PPP practice thanks to some lateral hires from DLA Piper.
The firm sees signs of recovery in the local marketplace and, with it, increase in demand for the firm’s services and in turn increased demand for new lawyers. “We are looking for people who share our values,” says Preston.
Despite the modernisation programme, traditionalists amongst those looking to join the firm’s 118 lawyers (110 in Birmingham, 8 in London) may be pleased to hear that Martineaus is not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
“We have a commitment to the traditional values of personal service at a senior level,” Preston says. “We are passionate about what we do and we look for people who can bring know-how and plain-speaking to the delivery of done deals.”
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