Andrew Hartley, 62, handed over the reins to Ron Whitlam, who moves up from managing partner.

He said: "It is time for me to take more of a back seat in the development of the firm.

"However, I shall remain actively involved with the firm as a consultant concentrating on individual client relationships and strategic advice to the partners."

Andrew specialises in acquisitions, disposals and corporate re-organisations. He is also a director of several companies and chairman of the trustees of an almshouses charity. He previously spent 20 years as a partner at what is now DLA Piper.

Ron Whitlam, who co-founded HLW in 1992 along with Andrew and John Linfoot, said: "I am delighted to be taking over as senior partner and to be able to report that the Sheffield business community continues to be active, notwithstanding the national economic conditions.

"This means that the firm is in great shape and busy.

"I look forward to continuing to provide the local business community with a first class legal service as well as growing and expanding the firm."

Roger Dyson, head of the corporate team at HLW, will take over as managing partner.

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