Black Country law firm team continues to grow with four new hires

Banking and finance specialist Neil Large has joined the firm as consultant solicitor, Claire Stretton as principal associate, Matt Allen as senior associate and Sam Dell as an associate.

Neil qualified in 1996 while working at Northern Rock plc before moving into private

practice and has held partner roles in various national and regional law firms. 

Claire joins from Gateley Legal, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience in corporate law.

Matt joins Higgs from MFG Solicitors, where he gained valuable experience of the Midlands legal market.

Sam has successfully qualified into the corporate team following completion of his training contract at the firm which he joined in May 2022 as a legal assistant.

Richard Griffiths, head of corporate at Higgs LLP, said: “These are exciting times for the Corporate team, said: “We have grown significantly over the past few years and these new appointments will play a key role in driving the next phase of our growth. 

The appointments bolster numbers in the corporate team to 23 lawyers and enhances the firm’s offering in the East Midlands and Shropshire.

Following a record year in 2024 momentum has continued into 2025 with the team enjoying its best-ever Q1 performance. 

The team is currently ranked 1st by Experian as the most active legal team in the Midlands for M&A work. It is also ranked 10th nationally – the only regional firm to feature in the top 20.

Higgs LLP, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, now boasts 32 partners, more than 100 qualified lawyers and employs more than 250 people.

The firm, based at Waterfront Business Park in Brierley Hill, was named Regional Law Firm of the Year in 2023, with the property team crowned Property Law Firm of the Year in 2024 at the Midlands Property and Investment Awards and the corporate team won the award for Regional Legal Team at the West Midlands Rainmaker Awards 2024.