Hammonds’ management has agreed to invest heavily in its Manchester office, with the national firm outlining provisions for an additional 15 partners in the northwest.
Manchester partners met with managing partner Peter Crossley last weekend to secure an agreement for renewed investment. The firm plans to take on 15 new partners as well as additional support staff in Manchester within a two-year period.
The firm has also earmarked its banking, real estate, corporate and intellectual property teams, four of its core practice groups in the area, for further investment.
It is also understood the firm will agree a new lease for its Manchester premises, as the current deal is coming to an end. A new agreement would almost certainly involve a major refurbishment programme.
The news comes as the Manchester office, which generated about £18m in income during 2005-06, continues to attract the attention of rivals hunting for acquisitions. Potential suitors are thought to include Halliwells, Addleshaw Goddard and Eversheds.
