about us
History
In 1977 Keith Howell-Jones, Alan Roper, Peter Scott and David Hutchison had a vision. Keith was 31 and the others in their twenties. They would make a good law firm with a simple aim: happiness; happiness of the clients, the staff and partners and all who had a stake in the firm in one way or another.
Howell-Jones & Partners was born. The founding partners had an unusual partnership agreement. It was handwritten, and clause 8 said, "There shall be no nonsense." Whilst they would not now advise clients to have such an agreement, it has worked for them. Partnership is a relationship of the utmost good faith and therefore trust. David retired in 2000, but remains as a non-practising consultant to the firm, whilst Peter, who retired in 2008, continues as a practising consultant.
In 1985 the partners firm acquired Thomas Dobson & Co, a firm which Mr Dobson started in Walton-on-Thames in 1929, which became our Walton office. As the practise grew we also established offices in Leatherhead, Raynes Park and London (Old Bailey).
In May 2007 the Partnership joined forces with rhw solicitors in Guildford and the merged firm became Howell-Jones LLP. Initially the indications were that this would be a success, however this was shortly followed by one of the greatest recessions in UK history and it soon become apparent that it was not a good time to maintain market presence whilst merging 2 practices. There was no disquiet, the owners all agreed that to ensure the survival of all offices rhw should break off. rhw was re-established and we retained the name Howell-Jones LLP together with all of our original offices. Nothing else changed and the firm continued to move forward and flourish, with the primary focus being on its clients and a leading firm of solicitors in Surrey.
The Partners are forward thinking and confident in the future. This is reflected in the latest development in January 2010, when the firm changed its London office from Old Bailey to 218 The Strand. This office is located directly opposite the High Court, which is ideal for the commercial, litigious, family and agency work we undertake in the High Court, Principal Family Registry, Court of Appeal and Technology and Construction Court. This office compliments the practice by giving us the ability to be a leading firm of solicitors in Surrey, the heart of London and to those wider afield.
