DMH Stallard

In 2011–12 DMH Stallard’s turnover fell by 6.7 per cent, from £20.7m to £19.4m and net profit fell for the second year from £2.8m to £2.25m.

The turnover drop can be attributed mainly to the delayed completion of a contingent matter in the litigation group during the past financial year, said managing partner Tim Aspinall.

DMH Stallard had a better year in corporate, which increased its contribution to overall turnover to 16.8 per cent, up from 15 per cent the previous year. The team also handled several AIM floats and saw a pickup in capital markets work.

The firm also continued to reduce its reliance on personal injury, with now only four lawyers dedicated to this area compared with around 12 several years ago.

The firm is open to bolt-ons and in September 2012 it merged with Surrey-based Callaghans, which specialises in property, litigation and private client work, as part of its ongoing plans to dominate the South East. The merger saw the firm add Callaghan’s premises in Guildford and Farnham to its existing office portfolio spanning London, Gatwick and Brighton.