TLT invests in key sectors with duo of Partner hires

National law firm TLT has appointed two new partners, further strengthening its Financial Services, Infrastructure, Real Estate Development and construction capabilities as part of its continued strategic investment in key growth sectors.

David Hamilton joins TLT from Howard Kennedy, to further strengthen the firm's Investigations and Contentious Regulatory practice. He is the second Financial Services Partner to join the firm in the past week, following the arrival of asset finance specialist Natalie Coates. David, who will be based in London, brings over 16 years of experience guiding corporate institutions, financial entities, and senior executives through high-stakes contentious regulatory proceedings, domestic and cross-border enforcement actions, and internal investigations.  His practice covers the full spectrum of regulatory compliance and financial crime defence, regularly representing clients facing scrutiny from major regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies, including the FCA, SFO, and HMRC. His experience includes advising on allegations of market manipulation, fraud, bribery and corruption, tax evasion, and money laundering, alongside advising boards on strategic risk management and governance frameworks.

In addition, the firm has strengthened its Infrastructure and wider Real Estate Development offering by appointing construction lawyer Ruth Griffin as a Partner in its Projects, Infrastructure and Construction team. A non-contentious construction solicitor, Ruth brings extensive experience acting for a range of stakeholders including public sector bodies. developers, contractors, investors and corporate occupiers on a broad range of construction, infrastructure and real estate investment, regeneration and development projects. She advises on the delivery of complex commercial, residential, mixed-use and infrastructure schemes, alongside wider engineering and capital projects, with sector specialisms spanning central and local government, transport, data centres, retail and leisure, life sciences, automotive, food and beverage, social housing and major events.  

Ruth also led the team providing award winning external legal services to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Ruth will be based in Birmingham.

The appointments reflect TLT’s continued focus on building specialist capability in sectors central to its long-term growth strategy. In the past twelve months, the firm has also added Orla Hanna, Ben Player and Jack Houselander to its Financial Services team, as well as completing the UK’s largest infrastructure planning and future energy practice and welcoming a trio of Real Estate Partners - Andrew Batterton, Julie Simms and John Webster.

Andrew Lyon, Senior Partner and Head of Financial Services at TLT, said: “Financial Services has long been a strength for TLT and remains central to our future growth. Clients are navigating an increasingly complex market, with heightened regulatory scrutiny, digitisation, AI, cybersecurity and financial crime risk foremost on the agenda.

“David's arrival significantly deepens our capability across contentious regulatory work and enforcement. His experience complements the breadth of our existing national team and strengthens our ability to support financial services clients with the advice they need to manage risk whilst unlocking further growth.”

Tom Henderson, Partner and co-head of Infrastructure at TLT, said: “The market is being driven by major investment, policy momentum and the need for joined-up advice across the full lifecycle of significant projects.

“Ruth's arrival adds further depth to our construction and engineering capability, particularly across complex development and infrastructure-led projects. Her experience across central government, data centres, social housing, retail and major events will be hugely valuable as we continue to grow our infrastructure platform and support clients delivering projects that are critical to the UK’s future.”

David Hamilton said: “TLT has a clear and ambitious vision for its Financial Services sector, underpinned by strong client relationships and a collaborative national platform. I’m delighted to be joining the firm at such an exciting stage in its growth.

“The regulatory environment for financial services businesses continues to evolve rapidly, and clients need advisers who understand both the enforcement landscape and the practical realities of building effective compliance frameworks. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across TLT to help clients respond to these challenges and identify opportunities for growth.”

Ruth Griffin added: "TLT's reputation for delivering on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure, development and regeneration projects, combined with its ambitious national growth strategy, made it a particularly compelling opportunity for me. The market is seeing increasing demand for joined-up legal advice across the full lifecycle of complex projects, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to help clients deliver schemes that create lasting value for businesses, communities and the wider economy."

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