HJA celebrates 32 years
09 October 2009
Hodge Jones & Allen LLP celebrated its 32nd
birthday last night with a fantastic party at the firm’s office on
North Gower Street, NW1.
Over 300 staff and guests
were packed to the walls of the newly refurbished atrium;
distinguished guests including Margaret Hodge MP, wife of the late
Sir Henry Hodge, Lord Falconer, recently Lord Chancellor under PM
Tony Blair, and Frank Dobson, the local Camden MP. Also present
were a who’s who of judges, solicitors and barristers from
the London criminal, civil liberties, housing, family and personal
injury legal scene and an interesting reunion of alumni.
The festivities were marking
the firm’s continued growth over the last 32 years. From humble
beginnings when three ambitious young lawyers set up shop on Camden
High Street, the firm's first move was to
nearby Camden Road in 1997. It now employs 190 members of
staff, with room to grow further in the current building.
Founded in 1977, Hodge Jones & Allen was committed from
the start to fighting against injustice and righting wrongs for
members of the community. The firm continues today with these
founding principles.
Thursday’s celebrations were
tinged with a note of sadness following the recent death of Henry
Hodge, who passed away in June this year.
Senior Partner
Patrick Allen, who co-founded the firm with Henry and Peter
Jones, gave a short speech reflecting on the journey the firm has
made, highlighting key individuals in its history.
He commented: “I can’t believe that
it’s 32 years since we first opened the doors of HJA on Camden High
Street. It’s gone by in a flash. We have grown from the original 3
to a firm of 190 but the ethos is still the same – fight injustice
and right wrongs. We are great survivors and I hope we will be at
it for many years to come.”
Margaret Hodge also spoke,
reflecting how building the firm was Henry’s proudest achievement
in his life, and Lord Falconer proposed a toast to the firm’s
future.