Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice, a leading family law firm based in Cardiff, is celebrating 30 years of operation as it continues to expand. Established in May 1996, it was the first specialist family law firm in Wales and one of the first in the UK.
From Humble Beginnings
The firm launched with just two partners, one paralegal, and three secretaries, all drawn from the family law team at the Cardiff office of Eversheds (now Eversheds Sutherland). Originally known as Wendy Hopkins & Co., it was co-founded by Melanie Hamer and the late Wendy Hopkins.
Melanie Hamer, one of the original co-founders, remains with the firm today as a director. Reflecting on the early days, she said: "I was just 30 years old, newly married and was presented with this enormous opportunity by Eversheds. It was a risk, as with all new firms, but I felt at the time it was a manageable risk. I decided that I would give it three years and if it did not work, I could always get out and get a job. I had to borrow just £35,000 from the bank to co-finance the firm at the beginning."
Remarkable Growth
Over the past three decades, the firm has experienced remarkable growth. Revenues have increased from £220,000 gross in its first year to nearly £3 million in the last financial year. The team has grown from six to 22 members.
Ms Hamer noted: "We started on client number 100 because we did not want anybody to be client number 1 and for the outside world to think we didn't have any clients. We are now on client number 13,365, meaning that over the last thirty years we have serviced 13,265 clients."
She added: "I can't quite believe my luck. I never set out with a big ambition or business plan to be one of the best family law firms in the UK. In the early days, I just hoped to make enough money to pay my mortgage. The success of the firm has exceeded all my wildest expectations, and I have great faith in my team that it will continue the great reputation of the firm for years to come, and we shall continue to punch above our weight, often attracting work from London as well as closer to Wales."
High-Profile Clients and Major Cases
The firm's clients include high net worth individuals, celebrities, sports personalities, and business owners. It recently acted on a case worth £77 million.
Evolution of Ownership and Premises
The firm's ownership structure has evolved over the years. Initially a partnership, it became a limited liability partnership (LLP) as soon as possible and later a limited company. It has expanded from two partners to five directors and three shareholders. Originally operating out of rented office space at 26 Windsor Place, it now owns and occupies 10,000 square feet of space at 12 and 13 Windsor Place.
Key to Success
On the firm's success, Ms Hamer said: "It is a combination of matters. We employ clever and conscientious people, and we make sure we look after them. From day one we have grown organically by taking lawyers on as paralegals and then in due course promoting them to trainee solicitor and then solicitor etc. Indeed, one of my shareholders and directors started as my trainee in the year 2000. Another director and shareholder started as a paralegal in 2011. The firm genuinely feels like a part of my extended family, and I care deeply about them all. I was also blessed with being in partnership until two years ago with one of my best friends, Thea Hughes, who retired in May 2024."
Looking Ahead
Ms Hamer, now 60, says she has no plans to retire. She added: "I still love my job, and I still feel that I do a good job, so as long as I continue to tick those boxes, then I see no reason to retire."
