Midlands eyed by firm after Halliwells acquisition

LAW firm Hill Dickinson, which acquired the Sheffield office of collapsed practice Halliwells, says it has ambitious growth plans which could include a new office in Birmingham.

Partner David Wareing told TheBusinessDesk.com that Hill Dickinson had its sightsset on increased turnover and staffing, and that it could eventually open offices in Birmingham and Leeds “if and when” the right opportunities appear.

Mr Wareing, a member of Hill Dickinson’s management board and national head of the firm’s commercial practice group, said the Halliwells deal, which saw 40 Halliwells staff establish a Hill Dickinson practice in South Yorkshire in July, was already proving a successful strategic move.

Halliwells’ Liverpool office was also transferred to Hill Dickinson in the deal following the carve up of the debt-laden firm’s assets.

Mr Wareing said Hill Dickinson, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, was keen to expand its Yorkshire service offering which includes health, corporate, commercial litigation and property practice groups.

Neil Thompson, head of the Sheffield office, said the Yorkshire operation was hopeful of boosting its present annual turnover of £2.5m to somewhere in the £20m mark over time.

Mr Wareing said: “In terms of turnover, our Manchester office has grown significantly from £9m in 2005/6 to £20m in 2009/10, whilst our London office has grown from £3.5m in 2005/6 to £22m in 2009/10.

“We anticipate that the firm will maintain this success rate with the Sheffield office and we will be in a position to show similar growth patterns for Sheffield over the next four to five years.”

Mr Wareing, who believes there will be more consoldation in the legal sector, added that clients appreciated working with regionally-based professionals.

Mr Thompson, who transferred to Hill Dickinson from Halliwells in Sheffield, and was also previously at DLA piper, said: “We have created substantial momentum in the region with our drive to provide quality advice for locally based clients, whether they operate on a local, national or international level.”

Mr Thompson said deals and corporate activity was busy at present and he hoped it was a sign the worst of the recession was over. He also said he believed banks were taking the correct approach and lending sensibly to businesses with the best prospects.

Hill Dickinson has reported an increase in profit for the financial year ending April 30, by £2m to £22m before members’ remuneration and profit shares. Following remuneration, profits stood at £10.4m.