Reynolds Porter Chamberlain

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Overview

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain is a full-equity firm on the fringes of the UK top 50, employing around 500 people, with around 65 partners and around 200 lawyers.

The firm, which is based at a single site near Tower Bridge, remains best known for its insurance, litigation and professional negligence work, but a spate of lateral hires over the past few years (including around 16 in the last two years) has seen the firm attempt to boost the profile of the commercial side of its business.

History

RPC can trace its origins back to 1898, when Nathaniel Reynolds set up Hannay & Reynolds with fellow solicitor Alexander Arnold Hannay. This alliance did not last, however, and Reynolds set up as a sole practitioner in 1903. In 1906 his son Hugh joined the practice, which was renamed Reynolds & Son.

In 1962 the firm became known as Reynolds Porter & Taylor Jelf, before changing to Reynolds Porter & Co in 1963.

Chamberlain & Co originates from Walter John Chamberlain, who formed the firm in 1907. The two came together in 1971 to become Reynolds Porter Chamberlain & Co, with the '& Co' was dropped from the name around ten years later.

The firm was based on High Holborn until it moved to Tower Bridge House, opposite the Tower of London, in 2006.

Culture

Key departments

The firm is best known for its insurance and reinsurance and professional negligence work, while commercial disputes/litigation is also a key practice area. RPC also has a niche focus in media - in particular defendant defamation, including acting for publishers, newspapers and broadcasters.

National/international coverage

RPC operates out of one London-based office but is a member of the international network TerraLex.

Key clients

Leading partners

Career prospects

RPC is an all-equity partnership. In the past two years it has made up six partners internally across the firm.

Salaries

Recruitment

Work-life balance

Diversity

RPC is a member of Stonewall Diversity Champions and Interlaw.

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