UK > Yorkshire and the Humber > Yorkshire and the Humber Overview > Regional review
Regional heavyweights
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- ADDLESHAW GODDARD LLP Leeds
- DLA PIPER UK LLP Leeds, Sheffield
- EVERSHEDS LLP Leeds
- HAMMONDS LLP Leeds
- PINSENT MASONS LLP Leeds
- WALKER MORRIS Leeds
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- Irwin Mitchell LLP Leeds, Sheffield
- Nabarro LLP Sheffield
Home to the ‘Big Six’, Leeds is a closely fought market which many claim has reached saturation. However, this has not deterred a number of recent new entrants, including Ward Hadaway and DWF LLP. Distance from the capital has afforded the main regional legal centres with little protection, and the downturn continues to bite hard in Yorkshire with redundancy announcements increasingly common. The recession has already claimed its first victims, including Fox Hayes LLP, which folded at the beginning of 2009.
The region still offers an excellent level of legal advice. After Leeds heavyweights Addleshaw Goddard LLP, DLA Piper UK LLP, Eversheds LLP, Hammonds LLP, Pinsent Masons LLP and Walker Morris, there is a comprehensive range of firms that stand as effective alternatives to the ‘Big Six’. These include a number of national firms, such as Cobbetts LLP, Watson Burton LLP, DWF LLP and Irwin Mitchell LLP.
The main hub has seen some consolidation over the past year, including Lupton Fawcett LLP’s acquisition of the majority of Fox Hayes LLP, just prior to its demise. Further mergers are expected as the downturn continues.
Brooke North LLP, Gordons LLP, Lee & Priestley LLP and Lupton Fawcett LLP are all good examples of experienced, longstanding Leeds players benefiting from established client relationships, while regional heavyweight Walker Morris is still admired for its successful single-site model.
The Yorkshire legal market has recently been the subject of some negative headlines, when several Raleys solicitors were disciplined by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal following their advice on miners’ compensation claims. The former management of Fox Hayes LLP also faced a Court of Appeal case against the Financial Services Authority.
In Sheffield, a number of big names dominate. DLA Piper UK LLP, Nabarro LLP and Irwin Mitchell LLP all operate at the top of the market, followed closely by Halliwells LLP. However, a number of firms, most notably HLW Commercial Lawyers LLP, Taylor & Emmet LLP and Keeble Hawson, are hot on their heels.
Harrogate is a relatively compact market, offering quality players such as McCormicks, Hempsons and Berwins LLP, while the Hull market remains largely focused on the shipping and food processing industries. Andrew Jackson, Gosschalks and Rollits remain the top players here.
York is a small yet distinct market. Dickinson Dees LLP entered here in 2007, while Langleys, Harrowells LLP and Denison Till are all established names.