Member Article

Historic law firm enters exciting new chapter as LLP

One of the longest established law firms in North Yorkshire is to form as an LLP ahead of anticipated growth at the practice.

Changes at the helm of Richmond-based Hunton & Garget - which started out in business in 1828 – will see managing director Stephen Garget and his colleague, Lisa Potts, become partners.

The new LLP structure comes as the firm prepares to expand its team in response to surging demand for its services, particularly in conveyancing, and to enable it to grow its busy family and personal injury department.

The switch to an LLP is also in fitting with the modern dynamics of business, according to Stephen Garget, who has been with the firm since 1974.

He said: “I’ve been keen for Hunton & Garget to become an LLP for some time as I believe it suits our modern approach to business. Having been involved in the practice for most of my career, I’m delighted to be taking it into an exciting new chapter and to be welcoming Lisa as a partner in the business.

“We are experiencing growing demand in a number of areas including conveyancing and, under our new structure, are now actively looking for more partners and staff.”

Lisa Potts began her legal training at Hunton & Garget in 2005 directly from Northumbria University. She specialises in commercial property, conveyancing, powers of attorney, court of protection and wills.

She said: “It’s always been my dream to become a partner at a law firm and I’m really looking forward to getting to grips with my management responsibilities in my new role.”

Under various different guises, Hunton & Garget has been in business since 1828 when James Hunton founded the firm at its former home in Frenchgate, Richmond.

It passed through generations of Huntons until 1949 when Stephen’s father, Jack Garget took over the business.

In the 1930s, the firm moved to its present offices at Burgage House in Millgate, which dates back to the 1600s.

This listed building was once a private school for girls and was famously the birthplace in 1811 of Lord Lawrence of the Punjab, Viceroy and Governor General of India, who is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Hunton & Garget employs 10 people and is currently seeking to recruit another solicitor to join the family & personal injury team. They have also recently joined the apprenticeship scheme, adding local student Sophie Ealand to the team.

The firm handles a wide range of legal matters including all property service, matrimonial and personal injury, wills, probate and estate administration and is accredited in the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Harvey & Hugo .