ADDLESHAW Booth and Co are still the Manchester law firm to catch but Eversheds is snapping at its heels, according to the new Legal 500 study.
The ‘‘magic circle’’ of five firms - DLA, Halliwell Landau and Hammond SuddardsEdge are the others - continue to dominate.
They enjoyed record-breaking years in 2000, while second tier firms had mixed fortunes.
Firms such as Cobbetts, Davies Wallis Foyster and Pannone and Partners were successful, but some in the defendant insurance market were hit as insurance firms continued to make panel cuts.
The Legal 500 names Donns as the top firm based on the number of fee earners. It has 270, followed by Addleshaw Booth (249), DLA (234), Halliwell Landau (212) and Hill Dickinson (199).
Last year, DLA was top on 234, ahead of Donns (232), Addleshaw Booth (207), Hill Dickinson (201) and Halliwell Landau (196).
Many of the leading firms enjoyed sizeable increases in turnover and profits last year, typically between 15 and 20 per cent. Especially lucrative areas were commercial property and private equity.
Economic warning
But the report warns: ‘‘The strength of the economy has a tendency to mask deep-seated problems. The real test of Manchester firms’ mettle will come with the economic slowdown.’’
Addleshaw Booth continues to exceed its growth projections, while dominating its practice areas.
Its corporate department is gearing up to handle City-sized, £500m deals.
It is understood that Addleshaw Booth’s turnover over the last four years has nearly doubled to over £30m.
Senior partner Paul Lee said: ‘‘Legal 500 is one of the most authoritative guides to law firms and legal services in the UK.
‘‘Its judgement on us is a wonderful recognition of our achievements across the local and national markets in which we operate,’’ he enthused.
Strong performance
Eversheds has developed strong practices in education, bioscience, media, commercial services and corporate, while DLA remains a major force.
Major changes at Halliwell Landau, where senior partner Roger Lancaster retired and was replaced by Alec Craig, while Paul Thomas took up the new role of managing partner, had a galvanising effect. The firm enjoyed growth in corporate, litigation and personal injury work.
Eight new partners were appointed at Hammond Suddards Edge. The firm is increasingly seen in Manchester as a viable alternative to the long-established leaders, says the guide.
It alphabetically names the leading individuals in the north west last year as Roy Beckett, Andrew Holt, Michael Prince (DLA), Stephen Benson (Cobbetts), Michael Brabner (Brabners), Alec Craig, Roger Lancaster, Chris Phillips, Geoffrey Shindler and John Whatnall (Halliwell Landau), William Downs and Sue Nickson (Hammond Suddards Edge), Daniel Hall and Edward Pysden (Eversheds), Carol Jackson and Vincent O’Farrell (Pannone and Partners), Paul Lee (Addleshaw Booth), Andrew Needham (Davies Wallis Foyster), Robert Street (Chaffe Street) and Maurice Watkin (James Chapman).
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