Hammonds beats rivals for partner

Hammond Suddards has beaten three City firms to take on the final partner from collapsed firm Edward Lewis.

Martin Thomas was offered partnership in the corporate finance teams of Pinsent Curtis, Clyde & Co and Field Fisher Waterhouse.

But Thomas decided to hold out for an offer from Hammonds.

He says: "They all offered for me to work there. I chose Hammond Suddards because they have the strongest corporate finance department in London out of those firms that I was talking to. I am very impressed with the situation here."

Thomas will work alongside 17 Hammonds corporate finance partners in a team that is over 100-strong.

He adds that all his clients have moved with him, along with two assistants, Ian Moore and Dearbhla Quigley, and a secretary.

He says: "My clients are a range of public companies, AIM quoted companies, private individuals, brokers, and investment clients." They include film and TV company VFG.

Richard Burns, head of corporate finance at Hammonds, says: "Martin is a well-respected lawyer and a major addition to our expanding corporate finance team.

"The corporate finance unit at Hammond Suddards has seen significant growth in recent years. We are looking to build on this success."

Edward Lewis closed for business on 28 January following allegations of sexual discrimination against its chairman, Tony Collins.

Collyer-Bristow, Edge Ellison, Finers Stephens Innocent, Middleton Potts, Berwin Leighton, Morgan Cole and Kennedys have all taken on lawyers from the defunct London practice.

Pinsent Curtis, Clyde & Co and Field Fisher Waterhouse were unavailable for comment.

A group of disgruntled staff from Edward Lewis have instructed a barrister from leading employment set Old Square Chambers and law firm Davenport Lyons to challenge how partners disbanded the firm.