Stewarts employment duo quits to launch boutique

Dutt, who was named in The Lawyer Hot 100 2011, joined Stewarts from Russell Jones & Walker in January, focusing on discrimination and whistleblowing cases (11 January 2012).

Brahams joined the firm from Lewis Silkin in 2010, citing a desire to work in a small operation (3 May 2010).

Stewarts said the pair will be leaving the firm on 1 November. Partner Tim Spillane will head the employment practice, the firm said.

Stewarts managing partner John Cahill said in a statement: “We’d like to thank Gareth and Arpita for their contribution in helping us establish an employment department at Stewarts Law. We recognise their desire for greater autonomy and wish them both well in their new venture.”

The exits follow a string of high-profile hires by Stewarts, which last month announced the recruitment of leading Manches family partner Helen Ward (19 September 2012).

The disputes-focused firm turned over £34.9m in the 2011-12 financial year, a 22 per cent increase on £28.5m in 2010-11. Its average profit per equity partner was £890,000, down on 926,000 in 2010-11, a drop a 4 per cent. Earning per partner in 2011-12 was £495,000, an 11 per cent increase on £444,000 in 2010-11.