Wedlake Bell

Wedlake Bell has advised businesses, families and individuals since 1780. From its office at 71 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, it acts for national and multinational companies, entrepreneurs and families planning their wealth, across corporate, real estate, employment, disputes, private client and family work. The firm lists 91 partners and more than 300 lawyers and staff.

A managing partner since 2012

Martin Arnold has been managing partner since 2012. He trained at Wedlake Bell, became a partner in the commercial litigation team and later specialized in contentious insolvency work. Under his leadership the firm moved to its current City office, according to his firm profile. He is one of seven designated members named in the LLP’s accounts.

Revenue up 14% in a year

Group revenue rose 14% from £58.1m to £66.1m in the year to 31 March 2025, according to the LLP’s consolidated accounts at Companies House. Revenue from clients outside Europe and North America grew from £4.7m to £7.3m, and revenue from the US and Canada rose from £1.2m to £1.5m. Operating profit increased from £23.6m to £26.1m, and profit available for division among members rose from £12.2m to £15.1m. The group employed an average of 286 staff excluding members, 169 of them in client-facing roles, alongside 73 members.

Ranked across 25 practice areas

The Legal 500 ranks Wedlake Bell in 25 practice areas in London, with Tier 1 rankings for art and cultural property and for debt recovery. It is ranked in Tier 2 for corporate occupier commercial property, smaller M&A deals of £10m to £100m, personal tax, trusts and probate, and residential property. In the 2027 edition, announced by the firm on 1 October 2026, its agriculture and estates practice gained a new Tier 3 ranking, the senior executives employment team moved up to Tier 3 and the firm picked up new rankings in hospitality and leisure and in charities and not-for-profit.

The private client side is ranked in the high-net-worth guides too. In Chambers High Net Worth 2026 the firm holds 25 individual rankings and six team rankings, according to the firm.