History
One of the youngest firms in the UK's top 25 by revenue, SJ Berwin was founded by lawyer Stanley Berwin along with 15 lawyers in 1982. SJB was driven forward by Berwin until his death in 1988, after which he was succeeded by Christopher Haan.
In 1992, leadership of the firm was handed over to David Harrel, who led the firm for 13 years. It was on Harrel's watch that the firm in 2000 dramatically hiked its pay-rates for assistants, which contributed to a series of dramatic rises across the City that arguably became the UK's first-ever legal 'pay war'. Harrel also oversaw SJ Berwin's strategy of European expansion; at the time the firm was the only mid-tier City practice to commit to sustained international growth.
The management of the firm passed to fund formation partner Jonathan Blake in 2005, who took on the senior partner role alongside existing managing partner Ralph Cohen.
SJ Berwin made 20 fee earners and 20 support staff redundant in January 2009.
During 2009 the firm opened three new offices in Hong Kong, Dubai and Shanghai. In 2010 Ralph Cohen stood down as Managing Partner and was replaced by Rob Day, who took office in November 2010.
The firm’s profits rose 40 percent in 2011 and revenues reached nearly £180 million.
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