Member focus – Branch Austin McCormick
What is your business speciality/USP?
Our dedicated and experienced team of lawyers work closely with each client (whether commercial or private), offering tailored legal services with a personal touch. The vast majority of our work comes through referrals, which we believe is a reflection on the service and expertise offered by our firm. We take the time to understand your unique needs, ensuring you feel supported and confident throughout your legal journey.
What might we be surprised to learn about what else you do?
From our location on St James’s Street, we work with clients not only in London and the UK, but across the globe – advising individuals and businesses on a broad range of matters, across a variety of industries. As a law firm proficient in cross-border work, our many years of international experience means that our team of lawyers understands the culture and approach of our overseas clients.
What have been your business highlights this year and/or historical business achievements?
The origins of our firm go back over 450 years to Pickering Kenyon, a firm that was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest law firm in the world dating back to 1561. Pickering Kenyon was the only law firm in England ever entitled to bear arms and a copy of the ornate letters patent granting armorial bearings may be found in our offices. Our firm was formed in 1990 by three of Pickering Kenyon’s partners – Messrs Lass, Salt and Garvin. We then rebranded as Branch Austin, and 2026 is our fifth year trading as Branch Austin McCormick.
We moved from our original offices on Piccadilly to St James’s Street over Christmas 2020 and are proud of our West End and Mayfair connections. The firm has tripled in size since then, with over 45 staff (and still growing), offering a full service to our national and international clients.
This year we have continued to establish our connections with chambers of commerce in London, most notably the Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, whom this year we have supported by sponsoring the Golden Bridge Awards and the Eurostart Venture Awards.
Together with our long history and our established roots, we pride ourselves on being a forward-looking law firm, focused on meeting the needs of our clients.
What are your upcoming events/occasions/projects?
We often run webinars on important legal updates – or in person events at local venues such as The Lansdowne Club. Get in touch at events@branchaustinmccormick.com if you’d like to be added to our mailing list to find out what’s coming up – including London Tech Week at Olympia in June.
We also look forward to attending a reception at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall next month to celebrate Quebec National Day alongside our friends at the Quebec Government Office in London.
Fascinating fact/statistic about your business
Our team speaks 15 languages in total
Our clients are based in 35+ countries
We work with over 50 industry sectors
What do you do love most about the area of Mayfair & St James’s ?
The variety of people, art and architecture – you never know what you might find here! From Berry Bros. to Banksy, there is always a huge range of personalities and activities.
What do you find most useful about your MSJA membership?
We’re looking forward to meeting and getting to know other local businesses, as well as catch up with some of other existing clients and contacts who we know are also members.
Harender Branch – Harender is an experienced partner and head of the corporate department, having acted on corporate and commercial matters for over 25 years. Harender previously headed up the corporate team of the London office of a national firm. She has a varied client base including VC and professional services firms, tech companies, hotels, clubs, retail and, more recently cheese specialists and chocolate manufacturers. Harender prides herself on long term client relationships and offering clear, userfriendly advice through her personable approach.
Do you have a MSJA member-to-member ongoing offer?
1 hour free consultation and very happy to consider discounted rates for members.
You can view the full member directory listing for Branch Austin McCormick here
