Browne Jacobson

Introduction

Browne Jacobson has five UK offices : Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester and Nottingham from which it serves its regional, national and international client base.

In the East Midlands, the firm is recognised as the leading commercial and public sector law firm with specialist areas including corporate, intellectual property, commercial property, health and insurance in both Chambers and Legal 500.

In the West Midlands, its Birmingham office has undergone a period of expansion since opening in 1999 and now operates as a full-service office.

History of the firm

Browne Jacobson was founded in 1832. Its founding partner, Michael Browne, was the then Coroner of Nottingham. Browne & Son, as it was known was based in Church Gate, Nottingham, and has been in continuous business from this date.

In the early 1900s, the then sole principal of the practice, Arthur Browne, took into partnership Montagu Williams. The firm changed its name to Browne Son & Williams accordingly. Bill Jacobson joined the firm as an Assistant Solicitor, and shortly after, Arthur Browne retired.

Williams and Jacobson joined the war effort in 1914, however Williams was killed in action. Jacobson returned to the firm eventually becoming a partner. On his appointment, the firm was renamed Browne Son & Jacobson.

In 1931, the firm Robert Hallam, led by principal Jack Hallam, amalgamated with Browne Son & Jacobson, to become Browne Jacobson & Hallam. The practice moved from its Church Gate base to 44 Friar Lane.

Browne Jacobson & Hallam employed Norman Roose in 1932. Roose joined as a young assistant solicitor with a bent for litigation – he became a partner by 1938 creating a three strong partnership; Jacobson, Hallam & Roose

Hallam subsequently left to set up his own practice J. Hallam and Sons at Wheeler Gate, Nottingham in 1954. The firm reflected this change, renaming itself Browne Jacobson & Roose.

Norman Roose retired from the firm as senior partner in the early 1980s and, when the firm moved to the Nottingham premises at Castle Gate in 1987, the name of the firm was changed to Browne Jacobson.

Browne Jacobson's London office opened in 1994. There are now more than 40 members of staff, including 14 partners, based in London full-time.

Browne Jacobson's Birmingham office opened in July 1999. Growth in the past couple of years has seen the office double in size with a headcount of over 140 including 29 partners.

On 1 May 2004 the firm converted to a limited liability partnership and is now known as Browne Jacobson LLP.

Browne Jacobson's Manchester office opened in January 2012.

In July 2012 the firm re-located its Nottingham headquarters to Mowbray House, the award-winning 60,000 sq ft Grade A building which is part of the HM Revenue and Customs headquarters complex designed by Sir Michael Hopkins in the 1990s.

In August 2012 the firm opened its fifth office at 1 Manor Court in the heart of Exeter city centre.

In September 2014 the firm announced that it was re-locating its London office to 6 Bevis Marks.

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