Wragge & Co LLP announces turnover for the 2007/08 financial year of £125.5 million, an increase of 11.5% from last year's £112.6 million. The results see the firm deliver a fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, with key practice areas performing strongly in challenging market conditions.

Managing partner Ian Metcalfe said: "Dedication to delivering creative, commercial legal advice and excellent client service has helped us post a robust set of figures this year. We have done well across the board, with growth coming from developing existing relationships and winning new business from big UK and international private and public sector organisations."

The 13-partner Human Resources group's stock continues to rise, with turnover up 14%. Legal winner at the FT Business Pensions and Investment Provider Awards, the Pensions team's landmark buyout deal for Emap showed its ability to innovate in a fast-moving industry.

The 10-partner Intellectual Property team improved on last year's stellar performance, increasing turnover by 24%. Highlights include promotion to tier one for contentious trade mark work in Managing Intellectual Property's 2008 global survey and victory for Cinpres in the hard-fought Court of Appeal case Cinpres Gas Injection Ltd v Melea Ltd.

Investment in banking and finance is paying dividends as Wragge & Co's reputation for partner-led mid-market expertise helped the five-partner team increase turnover by 31%. New partner Kieron Dwyer has joined from Clifford Chance strengthening the team's project finance capability, particularly in energy and infrastructure. Energy is a key growth area, with work for E.ON UK, BP plc and Welsh Power Group contributing to a 17% increase in turnover.

Continued commitment to providing clients with full-service real estate advice ensured another strong year for the 200-lawyer Real Estate group. Its 15 specialist teams delivered 16% growth, with highlights including advising DTZ on its new City-based global headquarters and Development Securities on a £250 million mixed-use development in Hammersmith. Notable growth areas include finance, tax, planning, regeneration, residential development and real estate funds and structuring.

In Corporate, M&A and tax both delivered growth in excess of 20%. A flow of international instructions, including an £83 million takeover for US client Inverness Medical and a £75 million acquisition for Sweden's Haldex AB, showcased the group's mid-market M&A credentials.

In terms of contentious work, high-profile Court of Appeal work contributed to the Commercial Litigation team's 16% turnover increase. The team hit the headlines when it secured the recusal of Mr Justice Singer following controversial comments about Saudi client, Sheikh Khalid Ben Abdullah Rashid Al Fawaz.

Other highlights include winning work from United Biscuits, National Grid and the Government's Catalist Legal Services Framework Agreement. Wragge & Co named dispute resolution specialist Nicola Mumford as its new London managing partner. The firm also announced it had signed up to new office premises in Birmingham. It will move into Two Snowhill, part of the city's £500 million gateway site being developed by Ballymore Properties, in 2011.

As of 1 May, Wragge & Co has 113 partners, including ten new partners across core practice areas real estate, corporate, banking & finance, human resources, dispute resolution, IP and construction. Chris Benson, Vivien Cockerill, Paul Howard and Bill Jones have retired from the partnership. Vivien and Bill will continue in alternative fee earning roles, while Paul Howard has become the firm's first General Counsel. He will work closely with managing partner Ian Metcalfe on strategic risk management issues.

Profits are anticipated to have grown by a similar percentage as turnover. Profit margin and profits per partner figures will be confirmed later this year once the firm's accounts have been audited. In accordance with Limited Liability Partnership regulations, Wragge & Co's accounts will be filed with the Registrar of Companies in due course.

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For further information about this press release, contact Kathryn Hobbs on +44 (0)121 213 2397, Alexa Highfield on +44 (0)121 213 2396 or Amie Ryalls on +44 (0)121 213 2360

This press release may contain information of general interest about current legal issues, but does not give legal advice.