A Manchester law firm specialising in family law for high net worth clients such as footballers and celebrities is to open its first office in Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports

Manchester family law specialist Hall Brown is opening its first office in Liverpool.

Hall Brown, which has seen its most recent annual revenues grow 35% to £9.7m, says “strong continued demand” for its services is the reason for the expansion. This will add to bases in London, Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham.

Experienced lawyer Natalie Dickson will head up the operation which will be based at The Plaza in St Paul’s Square. She has previously worked as a partner at Freeths, joining in December 2023. Prior to that she was at Brabners for 16 years.

Launched by Sam Hall and James Brown in 2016, Hall Brown enters an already competitive family law market in Liverpool. The firm’s niche is celebrities and high net worth individuals, including Premier League footballers.

It represented Stacey Giggs, ex-wife of former Manchester United and Wales superstar Ryan Giggs, in her 2017 divorce proceedings. Hall Brown now employs 82 staff nationwide, 60 of whom are fee earners.

Natalie will be joined by senior associate Antonia Williamson, who also worked at both Brabners and Freeths and was named as a Rising Star by the Liverpool Law Society in 2024.

Managing partner James Brown said: “One of the key factors in our growth over the decade since we launched is shaping our services around the needs of our clients.

“As well as having some of the UK’s most acknowledged experts in the most complex financial aspects of divorce, that has involved us being among the few firms in the country to have teams dedicated to handling private children’s law cases and the use of non-court dispute resolution.

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“It also means being able to help clients deal with some very individual circumstances in different parts of the country in a way which is consistent with the high standards that we have become known for.

“In Natalie and her colleagues, we are extremely confident that we have found a team which fits precisely with our approach. They will help cement our standing as a firm which is objectively regarded as the most pre-eminent in this region.”