Winckworth Sherwood

Winckworth Sherwood’s lateral hiring strategy continues to pay dividends as turnover rose by just more than 14 per cent from £20.9m to £23.9m in 2011–12, bringing the previous year’s 103rd-placed firm into the Top 100.

Much of the rise can be attributed to increased activity in areas such as property, which contributed 34 per cent of turnover in 2011–12. Several lateral hires, including that of property partner Richard Perkins from Reed Smith, boosted turnover in this sector, according to managing partner Roger Fitton.

Meanwhile, 40 per cent of turnover was due to Winckworth’s strengths in other areas, including ecclesiastical and education. In May 2012, the firm hired Emily Brand as a partner from boutique matrimonial firm Vardags.

2011 also saw Winckworth hire planning specialists Karen Cooksley and Colette McCormack from Field Fisher Waterhouse, which prompted the firm to add a Manchester office to its existing offices in London and Oxford.

Litigation had a strong year, contributing 45 per cent of turnover. In 2011–12, average profit per equity partner (PEP) crept up by 2.5 per cent to £414,000.

In August 2012, the firm was granted an alternative business structure (ABS) licence. Since Winckworth was previously trading as a legal disciplinary practice (LDP) to give non-lawyers at the firm the option of becoming equity partners, it was required to convert to an ABS when the Legal Services Act came into force.