In 2002, shortly after LLP regulations first allowed firms to move away from partner surnames, our founder, Carole Hailey, made a bold and forward-thinking choice. Rather than naming the firm after herself, she launched Waterfront Law – signalling from the outset that this would be a collective venture built on agility, adaptability, and shared purpose.
That decision set the firm apart. It reflected a belief that true partnership comes from working shoulder-to-shoulder, not from a list of initials above the door.
Those founding principles continue to guide us today. We blend deep expertise across intellectual property, dispute resolution, corporate and commercial, and employment law with a genuinely collegial culture that keeps clients at the centre of every solution. By continually refining our methods and embracing fresh perspectives, we ensure that every engagement benefits from the same spirit of innovation that inspired our name.
Today, the firm’s partners are taking it into the next era. Together, they deliver City-level expertise without unnecessary complexity; integrating our practices seamlessly to help ambitious clients focus on what matters most.
Waterfront Law is a partner-led firm. Clients work directly with senior lawyers who take ownership of their matters and remain closely involved from start to finish.
Our culture is built on integrity, collaboration, and precision. We value clear thinking, straight-talking advice, and long-term relationships. That approach allows us to act decisively when required, while remaining approachable and pragmatic in how we work with clients.
Waterfront Law is consistently recognised in leading legal directories including Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, as well as specialist publications such as World Trademark Review. These rankings reflect our technical expertise, quality of service, and partner-led approach.
Whether you are protecting innovation, navigating change, or resolving a dispute, Waterfront Law provides the clarity, expertise, and partnership needed to move forward with confidence.
We have brought together individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds, who all believe in our firm's approach to work and have a strong desire to help our clients achieve their goals. Our lawyers are commercially focussed with an in depth understanding of the industries in which they operate including IP law, IT and technology, commercial, corporate and employment law.
If you're interested in being a part of our team, please contact us at careers@waterfront.law.
Established as a niche intellectual property and IT firm, over the years we have expanded our service to include corporate, commercial, data protection and employment law expertise.
We have brought together individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds who work hard to understand the commercial reality of your business and provide excellent legal advice.