Mediator brings dispute experience to legal firm
Hugh Hitchcock, a respected dispute resolution specialist, has joined leading commercial law firm Acuity Legal.
Mr Hitchcock will join the Cardiff and London-based firm as a partner and shareholder.
With fellow partner David Hudson, he will steer Acuity’s dispute resolution team and practice.
Mr Hitchcock joins the firm after 21 years as a partner at DJM Solicitors in Swansea, where he built up and headed a successful dispute resolution and litigation team.
During that time he built up a national network of clients with a focus on high-value commercial dispute work. Feedback from clients in the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Legal 500 list described Mr Hitchcock as an “excellent negotiator” who “engenders confidence” in clients and provides a “great service”.
Mr Hudson, who joined Acuity a year ago, has extensive experience in complex and high-value litigation cases, and is a qualified mediator who has worked with a wide range of banking institutions, private and public sector organisations, insurers and individuals.
Acuity’s dispute team will work with its real estate and construction specialists to provide clients with a complete commercial service, from planning and implementing property and construction deals to dealing with post-deal disputes and claims.
Steve Berry, chairman of Acuity Legal, said: “This is a key appointment for us that will strengthen our commercial litigation service immeasurably.
“Our strategy is to offer our business clients a level of expertise comparable with that of a large City of London firm, but operating from Cardiff means they benefit from significant cost savings.
“This strategy is proving extremely successful, with our client base growing significantly, reflected by our fee levels having grown by 20% per annum over the last few years.
“Hugh brings with him a wealth of experience and a fantastic reputation. With Hugh and David leading Acuity’s dispute resolution team alongside our already established and recognised commercial and property teams, we will be able to offer a service to rival the biggest names in the legal market.”
Mr Hitchcock said: “Acuity is a fast-growing firm that is quickly building a strong reputation for itself in both Wales, across the UK and internationally. In today’s market it is important to offer business clients a complete legal service. I am delighted to be joining the partners at this exciting time in the firm’s development, and am eager to get stuck in to the exciting challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”