Howard Kennedy

Howard Kennedy is a London law firm based at No. 1 London Bridge. It advises businesses, founders, investors and wealthy families on corporate transactions and capital raising, disputes, business crime, regulatory issues and private wealth. Its real estate lawyers cover the living sector, from build-to-rent to student housing and co-living, and it has a retail and leisure group.

James Stewart was elected managing partner in 2025, succeeding Craig Emden, who had led the firm since 2017. Stewart, previously head of real estate, is a designated member of the LLP and has been one of its persons with significant control since 1 May 2025.

Built through mergers

The firm traces its name to 1945, when Kennedy, Genese and Co. merged with H. Howard & Co., and to 1950, when it moved to Harcourt House on Cavendish Square and became Howard, Kennedy & Co. It merged with Malkins in 1999 and with a further firm in 2003. In 2013 it combined with Finers Stephens Innocent to form HowardKennedyFSi, which took in CKFT in 2014, moved to No. 1 London Bridge and was renamed Howard Kennedy LLP. In 2023 it acquired Corbett & Co., an international construction law boutique.

Scale and recognition

Group turnover was £68.6m in the year to 30 April 2025, according to the LLP’s accounts at Companies House, with profit before members’ remuneration of £15.3m. The group employed an average of 363 people, 190 of them fee earners, and the average number of members rose from 62 to 70. Its next accounts will be made up to 31 March 2026 after a change of year end.

Howard Kennedy won Private Client Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2026 and was also shortlisted for Business Services Team of the Year, according to the organiser.

For entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, the firm puts corporate, property, disputes and private wealth lawyers in one London office. It is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 557188, and Howard Kennedy LLP was incorporated at Companies House in February 2011.