Breaking News: HBJ Gateley Wareing, Hill Dickinson confirm Halliwells deals
LAW firms HBJ Gateley Wareing and Hill Dickinson have sealed a deal for a large chunk of stricken Manchester firm Halliwells, which will secure more than 300 jobs.
Debt-ridden Halliwells is being broken up and is set to be placed into administration.
The HBJ Gateley Wareing deal is the larger – representing 200 staff including 40 partners across the banking and finance, corporate, real estate, real estate litigation, corporate recovery, commercial litigation, intellectual property, employment, pensions and construction business units.
Hill Dickinson meanwhile is taking 125 staff at Halliwells’ Liverpool and Sheffield offices, including Jonathan Brown, latterly the managing partner of the firm.
HBJ Gateley Wareing’s new office will be based in Manchester at Halliwells’ Manchester HQ at Hardman Square, Spinningfields, under the HBJ Gateley Wareing name.
Joint senior partner, Michael Ward said: “We are delighted to welcome the Halliwells commercial team in Manchester into our firm and believe that they will be a significant addition to HBJ Gateley Wareing.
“We have recognised for some time that there was an opportunity to develop our business in the North West.
“The Halliwells team bring with them a significant client base and a long and distinguished history in the Manchester legal market, which will complement perfectly our existing national practice.
“With this move, we are being joined by a team of partners and staff of the highest quality and they are looking forward to putting the recent past behind them and focusing on what they do best – delivering the very best client-focused commercial legal service.”
The Hill Dickinson deal includes 19 partners, 41 fee earners and 29 support staff in Liverpool, who will transfer over to the firm’s HQ at St Paul’s Square.
A further 36 people will be retained in Sheffield, giving Hill Dickinson its first foothold in the Yorkshire market.
Managing partner Peter Jackson, pictured, said: “We feel strongly that both the businesses are highly complementary in terms of client base and skill set.
“We have continued to look at strategic acquisitions to develop our business and complement our existing strengths. This opportunity provided a perfect match and enables us to work with first class and established teams in Liverpool and Sheffield.”
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert is set to confirm that it is taking Halliwells’ 150-strong insurance practice.
