D-Day for HBJ Gateley Wareing
Birmingham law firm HBJ Gateley Wareing is expected to confirm today that it will be taking over the bulk of the Manchester operation of failed rival Halliwells. If it doesn’t act today, a large part of Halliwells will go into administration. Whilst the Birmingham firm could still take it over then, it is thought to favour a pre-administration deal, partly for business continuity reasons. Senior partner Mike Ward and his colleagues have been weighing up their options but Insider understands that the appeal of entering the Manchester market in one fell swoop will win the day.
HBJ Gateley Wareing would take on around 260 corporate law staff at Halliwells in Manchester, which would immediately create a North West arm the same size as its Birmingham operation. However, it will not be setting up shop in Halliwells’ expensive Spinningfields headquarters.
If, as expected, the Birmingham firm does take over the bulk of Halliwells in Manchester, the move will propel it up the legal firm rankings from the mid 50s to the mid 40s. It is also expected to take on ten Halliwells employees in London.
Photo: Senior partner Mike Ward of HBJ Gateley Waring
