This initiative, presented under the Hewitsons brand as ‘The College’, is a vibrant fraternity bringing together all 33 of the firm’s lawyers engaged in disputes work. These specialists – all able to demonstrate professional excellence in this discipline – cover all four of the firm’s offices and its many specialist teams, including Commercial Litigation, Construction, Contentious Trusts & Probate, Debt Recovery, Employment, Insolvency & Corporate Recovery, IPR Litigation, Planning & Environment, Professional Negligence, Real Estate Litigation, Sports Disciplinary and Regulatory.

The College reflects Hewitsons’ growing reputation as leader in the field and its commitment to continuous improvement and ‘absolute client focus’ in all dimensions of disputes work. It is a place of collaboration, learning and thought leadership, particularly in the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution, and provides a forum for the development of common specialist tools and systems that will equip the firm to build on its reputation of delivering excellence. 

With the top and leading rankings that Hewitsons has achieved for litigation in the latest editions of the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners independent directories, this new venture ensures that the firm is equipped to deliver on its burgeoning reputation for disputes work. Among many other accolades, the firm’s litigators have been commended through client testimonials in the directories for their skilfulness, sound tactical judgment, thoroughness and responsiveness. 

Legal 500 Hall of Fame member Dominic Hopkins, the firm’s head of Dispute and Litigation services, is spearheading the initiative. He said: “The College is all about achieving excellence through collaboration. Our lawyers are determined to provide clients with the highest quality service they possibly can, and we firmly believe this is most effectively done by working together, sharing ideas and collectively developing systems that will provide clients with the benefit of the new technologies that are coming on stream.”

He added: “This comes at a particularly exciting time for our disputes and litigation practice, as we welcome four outstanding additions to the team. Carter Young has joined us in Northampton as a Commercial Litigation Solicitor, and over the coming months we will welcome another three experienced litigators in the commercial litigation and real estate litigation disciplines.”

Meanwhile, The College has been given its own badge, which will appear on the firm’s website and in its publications. It has been designed by a Professor of Design from the University of London , and includes imagery that emphasises the firm’s solution finding culture. 

A launch reception is also planned for late spring, with a leading name in the field of Civil Justice to be announced as a special guest. 

Hewitsons Managing Partner Colin Jones said: “Hewitsons has an exceptional pedigree in disputes and litigation work and we are thrilled about this enterprising development. We look forward to celebrating the launch our many friends in the field. Collaboration is key to the way we do business.”