London firm Hamlins has entered a new period of growth with the acquisition of a boutique practice Swan Turton to boost its market-leading media and tech practices.
The firm said it is actively looking for further acquisitions as part of the strategy, having secured a deal to buy Swan Turton.
The acquisition marks a change in approach by Hamlins, which is seeking to expand the expertise of a team which acts for many public figures and leading brands.
Hamlins specialises in media, sport, real estate, retail, leisure and tech. It has been lead solicitor in all phone hacking cases brought against News Group Newspapers for a number of years, and is now acting for claimants against Associated Newspapers. The firm has also pioneered claims against Channel 5 for invasion of privacy on the TV show ‘Can’t Pay, We’ll Take It Away’.
High-profile individual clients include Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, broadcaster Clare Balding, and former Spice Girls Mel B and Melanie Chisholm.
The acquisition of Swan Turton will see three partners – Stuart Barry, Julian Bentley and Catherine Fehler – two fee-earners and two other staff moving over, along with three consultants, including founder Julian Turton. This will take Hamlins’ headcount to 100, including 20 partners.
Swan Turton is best known for its music work and acting for comedians and actors. Through its work for PBJ Management, it has represented Madness, Adam Buxton, Noel Fielding, Eddie Izzard, Nish Kumar, Tim Minchin and Howard Goodall. Novelist Sebastian Faulks is another client.
Hamlins managing partner Matthew Pryke said: ‘This deal is a milestone in our evolution, bringing together two firms at the top of their game. It makes a lot of sense for both of us.
‘Their expertise both deepens and expands our services, especially on the non-contentious side, while Swan Turton clients will have access to our broader offering. Most importantly, there is a fantastic cultural fit between our two firms.’
Meanwhile, Scottish firm Gilson Gray has continued on its incursion into England with the addition of City of London-based PCM Solicitors.
Founded by senior partner Paul Critchley in 2009, PCM Solicitors specialises in family and property law.
PCM Solicitors’ full team will join Gilson Gray, with Paul Critchley transitioning to a new role within the firm’s property department. Gilson Gray will also begin recruiting for a head of operations in London, with plans to further grow its presence in the capital.
The deal represents Gilson Gray’s first step into London and the south east. The Edinburgh-headquartered firm already has a presence in the north of England through its Lincoln office, following the purchase of Home Property Lawyers (HPL) in 2022.
PCM Solicitors becomes Gilson Gray’s third acquisition of 2024, after the firm announced deals for Edinburgh’s MHD and Bowmans Solicitors in Forfar earlier this year.
Glen Gilson, chair and managing partner of Gilson Gray, said: ‘As part of our national expansion, it is important to avail ourselves of the most lucrative markets and access the strongest talent pools. London represents an important strategic development for the business, and we expect to create further presence in other cities in due course. We will announce additional London appointments shortly, as we look to replicate our group service platform across the UK.’
