LAW
STRONGER TOGETHER
From Teesside, in Teesside, for Teesside – Ward Hadaway’ s Lee Bramley( left), Alison Hall and Nik Tunley.
Law firm merger proving good news for Teesside
PICTURES: TOM BANKS WORDS: DAVE ROBSON
When a successful Teesside corporate law firm reached a glass ceiling, it opted to merge with a major national name to help smash through it.
And seven months on from the merger of Teesside’ s The Endeavour Partnership with UK top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway, it’ s a decision that’ s working well for both parties.
Since the papers were signed in July 2025, the new Teesside office of Ward Hadaway has been more than pulling its weight.
By offering an extensive new range of specialisms, it is serving Teesside’ s business community more comprehensively than previously possible.
And as he reflects on the past seven months – and what’ s to come – Lee Bramley admits he wouldn’ t change a thing.
Formerly managing partner of The Endeavour Partnership and now executive partner of Ward Hadaway’ s Teesside office on Teesdale Business Park, Lee is as proud of Teesside as they come – even his middle name, Hickton, is a nod to legendary former Boro centre-forward, John Hickton.
In 2002, he was invited by The Endeavour Partnership’ s founding partners to join what was then a fledgling firm, having been launched three years earlier as Teesside’ s first corporate law firm.
Last year, however, it was decided that merging with Ward Hadaway would be best for the firm – and best for Teesside.
And nothing that’ s happened since has altered that belief.
He told Tees Business:“ Over 25 years, we’ d grown to 50 people and were punching above our weight.
“ The core of our client base was Teesside SMEs, largely family-owned businesses, and we serviced them really well up to a point. But ultimately, we hit
68 | Tees Business