Leading London law firm Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA) has acquired Birds Solicitors, a respected south London criminal defence firm founded by Steven Bird. The entire 25-strong Birds team will join HJA’s existing crime department, creating one of the largest and most experienced criminal defence teams in the capital.
Steven Bird (pictured, right), who joins HJA as a consultant, is known for his work on complex fraud cases and miscarriages of justice. He described HJA as ‘the obvious and only choice’ for the acquisition, citing the firm’s shared ethos and commitment to fighting injustice. ‘This move will allow the firm’s legacy to continue,’ he said, adding that it would also let him ‘focus on representing clients, which is why I became a criminal lawyer.’
Birds Solicitors has handled several high-profile cases, including Operation Elveden and the Guralp Systems corruption case. Bird also successfully overturned the conviction of Gary Walker after 18 years in prison and represented Sterling Christie of the ‘Oval Four’, whose conviction was quashed nearly five decades later.
Raj Chada (left), head of crime at HJA, welcomed the acquisition, saying: ‘Steve is a phenomenal lawyer and deserves his reputation as a leader in his field. It is rare to secure such a reputable and outstanding team.’ The combined team will now operate from both north and south London, with the Birds brand incorporated into HJA’s identity.
