Speechly Bircham see income bounce back

Profits at Speechly Bircham have rebounded this year, rising by 10 per cent.

Average profits per partner (PPP) reached £265,000 for 2003-04, in stark contrast to the 21 per cent decline in remuneration Speechly Bircham recorded in the previous 12 months. Although the firm is still to reach the heights it achieved in 2001-02 when PPP rose to £310,000.

Overall turnover for 2003-04 grew by 5 per cent to £25m.

The improved results come as Speechly Bircham announced its management line-up after recent election.

Current managing partner Michael Lingens has been re-elected for a third three-year term while head of employment, Alan Julyan, has become senior partner, replacing incumbent Mervyn Couve.

The firm has also expanded its property group with the arrival of former Osborne Clarke partner Susan Lewis. Speechly Bircham now has 47 partners and more than 130 fee-earners.