Hamlins has entered a new period of growth with the acquisition of boutique practice Swan Turton to boost its market-leading media and tech practices.
The deal marks a change in approach by Hamlins, which is seeking to expand the expertise of its highly regarded team which acts for many public figures and leading brands.
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 particularly well known for its music work and acting for comedians and actors. Through its work for PBJ Management, it has represented Adam Buxton, Noel Fielding, Eddie Izzard, Nish Kumar, Tim Minchin and Howard Goodall. Novelist Sebastian Faulks is another client.
Hamlins managing partner Matthew Pryke says: “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.”
In music, for example, Hamlins is a leading firm on rights and copyright infringement claims – acting for record label BMG and PPL PRS Ltd – while Swan Turton represents a host of top bands and recording artists, including the estate of Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green, Madness, and seminal electronic artists Underworld and Leftfield.
Matthew Pryke is in his second term as managing partner and has led Hamlins through a significant period of modernisation, including moving from offices in Regent Street, where the firm had been located since the 1980s, to a modern workspace at the signature No.1 Kingsway building.
Turnover has increased by more than a quarter since he took over as Managing Partner in 2020, with the addition of Swan Turton set to bring a further significant rise this year. Profits continue to grow alongside this investment in the business. The plan is to continue on this trajectory so that it can continue to thrive amid the rising cost of technology and regulation.
Mr Pryke says: “We are firmly established as a top practice in each of our sectors and have growing capacity to support clients across a wide range of activities. The model is working well and so we are actively looking to build it further.”
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