Law firm Brabners to launch in London after record year

North West group announces key hires as it bids to grow nationally

North West law firm Brabners will open a City of London office this year after it reported a record year. Brabners reported an eighth consecutive year of profitable growth, with revenues for 2025 of £60.2m (2024: £53.9m) and record pre-tax profits of £20.3m, up on £18.1m the previous year.

That success will be a “springboard” for Brabners to launch into the City with partner hires from Forsters and Gunner Cooke working alongside existing London-based partners. The group now employs almost 600 across the UK, and says the London expansion is a “natural progression” that will “amplify its national reach”.

Corporate partner Stuart Hatcher, a director at Brentford FC, is joining Brabners from Forsters. Litigation Partner Russell Strong joins from Gunner Cooke. They will work alongside London-based real estate and tax partners Ross Shine and Euri Yoon, and the office will open later this year.

In the first half of 2025 alone, the Brabners team advised on transactions worth more than £500m – double the value of the same period in 2024. That included advising on the sale of a majority stake in £350m turnover engineering firm William Hare Group.

Robert White, CEO at Brabners, said: “This year’s financial performance provides a fantastic springboard as we begin the next phase of our growth. Most notably marked with our entry into the London market.

“What we have achieved in the last year — and in the past eight years — is testament to the quality of our firm, the ambition of our clients and the strength of our relationships with them, as well as the aspiration and commitment of our people.

“Surpassing the £60m revenue mark is a significant milestone. And as we look ahead, our focus remains on delivering client-centred, scalable growth that enhances our ability to invest in exceptional talent, technology and innovation — and above all else that supports and protects our independence.”

Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, said: “Our success is driven by our people, and we are incredibly proud to be approaching 600 colleagues across the firm. Fundamental to who we are — and underpinning our ability to attract and retain outstanding colleagues — is our culture.

“Launching in London is a landmark moment for Brabners. It allows us to build our presence in the capital while staying true to our values, strengthening our offering to clients and playing our part as an engaged and responsible member of the London business community.”