Davenport Lyons
UK 200 RESULTS 2009
Movement since 2008
Turnover (£M):
Profit per equity partner (£K):
Earnings per partner (£K):
Equity spread (£K):
Net profit (£M):
Profit margin (%):
Revenue per fee-earner (£K):
Revenue per lawyer (£K):
Revenue per partner (£K):
Revenue per equity partner (£K):
Total number of fee-earners:
Total number of qualified lawyers:
Total number of partners:
Total number of equity partners:
Total number of female partners:
Total number of female equity partners:
Total number of staff:
Leverage ratio (fee-earners per equity partner):
NEW ENTRY
21.5
340
212.8
220 - 450
4.1
19
215
384
457
1,792
100
56
47
12
12
3
225
3.67
As one of the most ambitious of the West End firms, Davenport Lyons has set its sights on becoming the leading player in the market.
If it continues to hire at its current rate it might just achieve its aim. Several notable partner hires took place in 2008-09, including former SJ Berwin partner Jonathan Metliss, who joined the corporate team as a partner via a stint as a consultant at Rosenblatt.
Davenport Lyons’ mid-market corporate practice now makes up around a quarter of the firm’s £21.5m turnover, having grown rapidly in the past few years.
The firm has also invested in its employment practice, taking on Clarke Willmott partner Nic Hart, and tax, hiring Howard Kennedy head of tax Roger Bindschedler.
But Davenport Lyons built its reputation on media work – it famously represents Private Eye – and this remains a key area, even if it leads the firm down some questionable avenues.
In December 2008, the firm caused a storm when it sent a letter on behalf of a German client to an elderly couple demanding £500 for an illegally downloaded pornographic firm. It has also acted for table-dancing club owner Peter Stringfellow.
Davenport Lyons’ eight-partner property practice suffered along with the rest of the market, helping to contribute to a slight fall in turnover during 2008-09.
The firm has opened up its equity to the partnership in recent years. Of the 12 current equity partners five were promoted in the last two years.
Unusually, there is no managing or senior partner. The firm is governed by a management board made up of four equity partners, of whom corporate partner Michael Hatchwell is the figurehead.
Davenport Lyons' financial year ends on 30 June.
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