National law firm Freeths and Ipswich outfit Birketts are the latest LB 100 firms to report their financials, both enjoying record revenues for the year 2015/16.
It is the second year of double-digit revenue growth for Freeths, which posted turnover of £63.8m, up by 14.4%, from £55.8m in 2014-15, when the LB 100 firm also recorded 12% growth.
A statement from the Freeths’ management said all staff would receive a 6.65% pay bonus for May as a result of the strong growth.
The firm has 11 offices across England, employing 145 partners. Oxfordshire-based Freeths rebranded itself from Henmans Freeth at the start of June, three years after the merger between Freeth Cartwright and Henmans.
The last financial year was also strong for Birketts. The East of England law firm posted record turnover of £38.7m, up from £34.9m in 2014-15, which is a 9.8% rise.
Full service firm Birketts also announced the appointment of James Austin as senior partner, with Nigel Farthing stepping down from the role after 10 years.
Incoming senior partner Austin said: ‘It is a privilege to take over the reins from Nigel and to have the opportunity to build upon what has been a successful period in Birketts’ history.’
Birketts has expanded in recent years to include offices in Cambridge and Chelmsford as well as Ipswich and Norwich.
Austin added: ‘We have a clear strategy in place to build upon the momentum of recent years. In Ipswich this includes plans for the move to a new office in Princes Street in 2017 which will enable us all to be under one roof for the first time in many years.’
matthew.field@legalease.co.uk
