Hammonds
No of Partners: 132
No of Assistant Solicitors: 266
www.hammonds.com
Like Walker Morris, Hammonds has its roots in Bradford. Both legacy firms, (A V Hammond & Co and Last Suddards) which make up the present organisation, only opened in Leeds in 1983 before merging in 1988. Since then, Hammonds has changed beyond recognition, to the point where it now has over 200 partners, UK offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham and London and an international network covering Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and Russia.
Leeds, which is currently home to 185 of the firm’s 850 lawyers remains a core part of the firm. Each of its core practice areas – corporate, construction, property, employment, commercial dispute resolution, tax, pensions, IP and banking/insolvency - enjoy market-leading positions in the Yorkshire area according to the directories.
Yet, while the head of the Leeds office, Ian Greenfield, emphasises that Hammonds is concentrating on retaining its local market share, the firm also has its eye on greater things. It already claims to be a ‘Top 20’ European law firm and its ambition, says Greenfield, is to be in the ‘top 10’.
In doing this, the firm claims to have an advantage over many of its rivals by having a fully-integrated and profit-sharing network across its UK and Western European offices. “This common economic interest results in better client service and an integrated approach under which we can operate as a ‘one stop shop’ for Europe” Greenfield says.
Therefore, although Greenfield also emphasises the firm is committed to serving local clients ‘of all sizes’, the ‘One firm’ approach means that the Leeds office serves clients from other parts of the network as well as winning its own from beyond the region. This is reflected in a client list which includes Allied London Properties, Amec, BWD Securities, Barclays Bank, English Partnerships, FKI, Kelda Group, National Grid Transco and the Royal Mail.
What sort of lawyers are required to service these clients and fulfil the firm’s ambitions? They need to be top quality.
“We look for people with first class legal ability, a commercial attitude, enthusiasm and a determined approach” Greenfield says.
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