Dawsons punches through £10m mark

Lincoln's Inn firm Dawsons Solicitors has posted record figures for the past financial year, with turnover breaking through the £10m barrier for the first time.

Dawsons' average profit also reached record levels last year, hitting £325,000. The results mark a return to form for Dawsons, which lost five partners and four assistants to rival Hunters in 2004.

Managing partner Mathew Rae said the figures were a confirmation of the firm's recent modernisation, which has placed greater emphasis on corporate and commercial work as opposed to family and private client.

"Two years ago corporate turned over around £500,000," said Rae. "Last year the figure was more than £2m."

The corporate practice handled several AIM listings during the year and now accounts for 20 per cent of turnover. Meanwhile, litigation, which includes contentious employment, is the largest group with 35 per cent. Private client and family together account for 19 per cent of total revenue.