HCR Law says Hewitsons' name gone but not forgotten
Today – after decades of triumphs and no doubt some tribulations – the name is eradicated from the local pantheon as HCR Hewitsons officially becomes HCR Law.
The name of HCR Hewitsons was adopted in Cambridge and Central England in 2021 when Harrison Clark Rickerbys acquired the firm; it says the change makes it simpler for clients and contacts across its 11 offices in England and Wales.
The name change is another step in the firm’s evolution. HCR Law recently opened a Norwich office, led by Frank Brumby, which will enable the firm to build on its strong position in Cambridgeshire and the East of England by creating a regional East Anglia hub.
This move, driven by client demand, has attracted some key hires including Corporate specialist Nathan Muskett and leading Family lawyer Amy Walpole. These partners and their teams will be joined by other lawyers looking to be part of HCR Law in the coming weeks.
As well as a new name, the Cambridge office has a new head - as reported here recently. Natalie Minott, officially takes over from Inger Anson who has led the office since 2018. Natalie joined the firm in 2017 and has strong relationships across Cambridge, after advising prominent businesses regionally and nationally for more than 20 years.
Anson’s evolved role allows her to focus on leading the firm’s growing technology and innovation offering which includes a group of specialist lawyers advising clients on AI, Distributed Ledger Technology, cyber, technology protections and disputes, and tech and innovation-focused real estate solutions. Clients across all sectors are increasingly demanding specialist advice in these areas, as they navigate digital transformation.
This focus on technology is mirrored in Central England where joint office head Dominic Hopkins plays a key role in the Silverstone Technology Cluster.
Since the firm’s move onto the University of Northampton’s Waterside campus in September 2022, the Central England office continues to grow, having welcomed two new partners earlier this year – Banking lawyer Haydon Simmonds and Charities and Not-for-Profit specialist Rachel Gwynne. The office has recently cemented its position in the local community by committing to a further two years as Official Legal Partner to the Northampton Saints.
Managing Partner, Rod Thomas said: “The Hewitsons name has had a long and proud history, and we are working with Charles Hewitson to honour the legacy through various community initiatives, as we continue to evolve and grow the firm.”
One such long-standing initiative is the annual Chariots of Fire race which takes place in Cambridge, led by race director and former Hewitsons Managing Partner Colin Jones. Since the merger, Chariots of Fire has raised more than £150,000 for local charities. Jones now leads the national Construction team at HCR Law and, at least nominally, could be said to be carrying the torch for future generations.