Bristol-headquartered national law firm TLT today announced a 10% increase its annual turnover to £49m in the financial year 2012/13 and revealed it is to open an office in Manchester as it continues to grow acfross the UK.
The firm said the move supported its strategy of having a UK-wide presence from which to deliver its services. It also supports its focus on particular industry sectors.
The firm, which has its roots in Bristol, also has offices in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Managing partner David Pester said: “We already service a national client base from our existing offices but a number of our major financial services and retail clients who are based in the North of England have said they want us to have a physical presence near to them.
“As one of the largest legal centres outside of London with a significant pool of very high quality talent available, and with strong transport links to our other offices in Bristol, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast, a presence in Manchester makes commercial sense and supports TLT's business strategy."
The move follows the launch of operations in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast last year, all of which have experienced rapid growth since launch due to client demand. TLT's operations in Belfast are on track to grow from six to 30 people within 18 months. The firm has confirmed that it is planning to expand in each of its locations in direct response to client need.
TLT's Manchester office will be in Spinningfields, the commercial heart of the city, and will initially offer commercial contract, commercial litigation and IP litigation services to the firm's existing clients, particularly those in the financial services and retail industry sectors, two focus areas for TLT and for which the firm has a strong national reputation.
TLT is launching its new office with eight people including two partners and three assistants. The firm has recruited a partner from DLA Piper and a legal director from Pinsent Masons.
TLT has recruited Stuart Campbell who is joining as a partner from DLA Piper's Manchester office where he led its commercial law group. Stuart is a commercial lawyer specialising in IP and technology for retail and financial services clients. He advises on contract law, registerability and infringement of IPRs and UK/EU competition law. Stuart also has experience of advising UK clearing banks on payment services matters such as the implementation of new card scheme programmes, new card technologies, merchant acquiring matters and card scheme licensing and management.
Emma Flower is joining as a partner from Pinsent Masons where she is currently a Legal Director. Emma has 16 years' experience of heavyweight commercial disputes including supply chain cases, commercial agency claims, partnership issues and shareholder disputes. Her practice encompasses both litigation and arbitration and all forms of ADR. Emma also has a niche practice in export controls and trade sanctions and is recommended in Chambers for her expertise in this area as well as her wider commercial and corporate dispute work.
It is anticipated that the office will have 20 to 30 people and generate income of £3-5million within its first 18 months.
