Managing Partner: Richard Lane
- Partners: 32
- Assistants: 49
- Other fee-earners: 46
THE FIRM Wright Hassall has increased its turnover for the sixth year running. A key driver behind this success has been the willingness to identify services which, for many firms might be considered ‘left of centre’ such as the Tax Team which includes a senior non-lawyer as Tax Director and which provides cost savings ideas for employers that can only be matched by the ‘Big Four’ accountants. The firm has an enviable portfolio of both regional and national clients that range from owner-managed businesses and plcs to not-for-profit organisations, partnerships and individuals across a variety of sectors including technology, logistics, financial services, social housing, charities, retail, sport and agriculture.
PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK
Commercial: Clients are advised on a range of commercial matters including commercial contracts; outsourcing, particularly in relation to the technology, logistics and financial services industries; financial regulatory matters; intellectual property; data protection; employment, including employee incentive schemes and costsaving initiatives for employers; partnerships; business immigration; and all licensing matters.
Commercial Property: Described by clients as pro-active, commercially-driven and reliable, the team handles a diverse range of matters from complex corporate transactions to straightforward lease negotiations. It acts for a wide range of clients including blue-chip corporates and science parks and has significant experience in acting for multiple retailers, several of which are household names. A specialist team advises on planning, environmental and highways matters. The Social Housing Team, led by Carol Matthews, continues to be rated as one of the best in the country. The Agricultural and Rural Business Team acts for landowners, farmers, tenants and rural associations and, in Paul Rice, has one of the leading legal specialists in the Single Farm Payment Scheme.
Corporate: The Corporate Team has an enviable track record in meeting the needs and aspirations of ownermanaged businesses and mid-sized corporates, advising on company formations; structuring and restructuring; mergers, acquisitions and disposals; buyouts and buyins; financial structuring and investment capital; and shareholder relationships and joint ventures.
Dispute Resolution: The Litigation Team has an excellent track record in banking, finance and asset tracing litigation. A particular feature is the provision of advocacy services for clients. All types of commercial litigation are undertaken including contractual disputes, professional negligence, employment, intellectual property and technology disputes, insolvency and business recovery and contentious probate. The Recoveries Team operates a comprehensive live portfolio management and collections service using leading edge IT capability. The Property Dispute Team is particularly strong on landlord and tenant issues, the Party Wall Act, boundary matters and noise compensation claims. The Construction Team, working alongside litigation and commercial property handles all aspects of contentious and non-contentious work and, through Philip Harris, a commercial mediator and Chartered Arbitrator, offers an effective alternative dispute resolution service.
Private Client: The Private Client Team advises many of the firm’s commercial clients’ directors, charitable trusts and high net worth individuals on wills, trusts, tax and probate matters; matrimonial, particularly complex financial cases, and child-related issues; residential conveyancing; and clinical negligence and personal injury cases.