Harvey Ingram LLP
No of Partners: 32
No of Assistant Solicitors: 33
www.hio.co.uk
Harvey Ingram LLP, Leicester’s largest law firm, has prospered since Birmingham giant Edge Ellison (now part of Hammonds) closed its Leicester operation in 2000. It is now looking to muscle in on the former Edge’s home turf – Birmingham.
The 100 lawyer firm acquired its West Midlands base through the absorption of Wragge & Co’s motor claims unit in 2003 and the firm plans to add commercial and private client departments to the office within 18 months.
However, managing partner Chris Finlay sees the main opportunity back on the firm’s home patch. Leicester is in the process of a significant regeneration programme and, as the larger East Midlands firms target work elsewhere, managing partner Chris Finlay sees an opportunity.
“We are looking to compete with the larger regional firms in the East Midlands by providing a more personal service,” says Finlay. “They are leaving work behind.”
The firm’s largest teams are in commercial litigation and commercial property, but Harvey Ingram Owston offers a full range of commercial services for a variety of clients including Stead & Simpson, National Car Rental, Bostik and Leicester City FC, and a strong private client practice.
The firm also works hard to maintain strong links with the community in Leicester, through pro bono work and partner participation in the local chamber of commerce and Law Society. Most recruitment is from other major regional and national firms, although the firm has enjoyed some success in recruiting one or two London lawyers of late, attracted by the lifestyle benefits of a regional city.
So what constitutes the perfect candidate for Harvey Ingram LLP? The firm tends to act for long-standing clients rather than take in a series of one-off transactional jobs, so relationship lawyering skills are important, but so too is marketing ability.
“We are not complacent,” Finlay says. “We look for people with enthusiasm and energy, who are articulate and able to get on with clients – personal service is very important to us. For more senior positions, we look for people with a good track record of work at a quality firm.”
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