Charles Russell was a full-service firm with a number of offices in the UK and overseas; however, its reputation was primarily as a London outfit with particular strength in family and private client law. However, it built out its commercial practice to a considerable extent before its merger in 2014 with Speechly Bircham. Speechlys was a similar sort of firm to Charles Russell, albeit only based on London. A merger with the West End’s Campbell Hooper in 2009 had taken
Charles Russell was a full-service firm with a number of offices in the UK and overseas; however, its reputation was primarily as a London outfit with particular strength in family and private client law. However, it built out its commercial practice to a considerable extent before its merger in 2014 with Speechly Bircham.
Speechlys was a similar sort of firm to Charles Russell, albeit only based on London. A merger with the West End’s Campbell Hooper in 2009 had taken it into the UK top 50 and added some interesting niche practices alongside construction and property expertise.
The merger between the two firms created Charles Russell Speechlys, a £135m organisation with 170 partners and nine offices.
The combination saw Charles Russell and Speechly Bircham combine their renowned private wealth practices – orienting their practice largely towards advice for wealthy individuals, family offices, wealth managers and large, privately held businesses worldwide.
Four partners exited to start their own sports law practice in 2017; following that group’s departure, CRS acquired sports law boutique Couchmans in its first major tie-up as a merged firm.
Meanwhile, further international expansion has come with office openings in Dubai and Hong Kong.
| Election | Managing partner | Senior partner |
| 2014 | James Carter (ex-Speechly Bircham) | Christopher Page (ex-Charles Russell) |
| 2017 | James Carter | Christopher Page |
| 2020 | Simon Ridpath (ex-Speechly Bircham) | |
| 2021 | Bart Peerless (ex-Charles Russell) |
TRAINING CONTRACTS
What is the trainee salary at Charles Russell Speechlys?
1st year trainee: £40,000 (London); £35,000 (South East); £30,000 (South West)
2nd year trainee: £43,000 (London); £36,000 (South East); £32,000 (South West)
What is the NQ salary at Charles Russell Speechlys?
NQ solicitor: £66,000 (London); £54,000 (South East); £50,000 (South West)
