Bridge McFarland

Turnover (£m): 8.2
RPL (£k): 216

North East firm Bridge McFarland’s turnover has been growing slowly but steadily since its entry into The Lawyer’s top 200 listing in 2008-09. Last year the firm’s revenue was £8.2m, up by almost 8 per cent from £7.6m in 2009-10. Profit stood at £2.3m, while average profit per equity partner came in at £137,000.

Litigation was the firm’s biggest contributor in terms of practices, accounting for almost 53 per cent of revenue, representing an increase of 8 per cent on 2009-10. In particular Bridge McFarland’s personal injury and clinical ­negligence practice areas are driving growth. Elsewhere, corporate accounts for nearly 11 per cent and property 8 per cent.

Since it was created as a result of a merger in 1990 the firm has expanded by means of five other mergers in the region. Last year, however, staffing levels dropped across the board. The firm had five fewer lawyers, at 38, and four fewer partners, at 17.