What's in a name?
Quite a lot as it happens. The commercial exploitation of the spa waters of Leamington Priors led to the substantial development of the town of Leamington Spa in the first part of the 19th century (culminating, no less, in the granting of a royal charter by Queen Victoria). In 1846 the sole practice of Richard Arthur Wallington was founded. Taking advantage of the new opportunities that had arisen from the town's growth, a new partner Mr Edward Wright was taken on forming Wallington & Wright.
After the death of Richard Wallington, Edward Wright took James Wright Hassall (no relation) into partnership which was then renamed Wright & Hassall in 1875. Clearly had either Mr. Wright Hassall or Mr. Wright foreseen the linguistic evolution that would ensure that the name of the firm would be etched in posterity, they might have reconsidered – but that would have been a great pity.
Historically the firm has benefited from its position in the midst of prime agricultural land. In the 1950s, the firm formed a syndicate with a local agent, John Staite, to buy most of the land being sold by the Earl of Warwick with the purpose of selling farms & properties to their tenants. Our connections with the land remain as strong as ever.
After several moves within the town centre, in 2007 the firm moved to a landmark modern building on the outskirts of the town, approximately two miles from junction 13 of the M40.
The firm's growth
From modest beginnings, the modern firm now has 30 partners and around 200 staff. The last ten years has been a period of rapid and substantial growth for the firm particularly on the corporate and commercial side. Since the completion of the M40 extension to Birmingham in the late eighties this part of the Midlands, with its excellent transport links, has proved to be irresistible for inward investment and the growth of the firm reflects this.
Wright Hassall LLP today
Despite the size, diversity and commercial outlook of the modern firm, we continue to play our part in the local business community and our connections in the area remain as strong as ever. Consequently we can boast high-calibre lawyers attracted not only by the quality of the work we offer but also by an environment that is considerably more agreeable than many of the city centres they've relocated from.
As evidence of our commitment to both our clients and our people, we were delighted to be awarded the double accolade of both Lexcel and IIP at the end of 2003, an achievement in which only a handful of firms have succeeded.
