THE corporate team at leading law firm Harrison Clark LLP is celebrating a record year for transactions and deliveries.

In terms of transactions, 2007 saw the firm complete more than 50 deals worth a total value of more than £145 million.

The transactions ranged from sales and acquisitions of small owner-managed businesses right through to fund-raising and acquisitive work for larger clients including international and public companies.

As for the deliveries, three of the team found the time to become proud mothers during the year.

Corporate partner Inger Woolhouse said: "It has been a great year both in the number of deals we completed in that time and also the quality of the transactions on which we are being asked to advise.

"Given that the department only started six years ago, the growth has been exceptional. The corporate team at Harrison Clark is not only the largest in Worcester but also one of the leading teams in the region.

"A large number of our transactions come out of London, where we are seen as a top quality, excellent value alternative to the major and other city firms.

"Having said that, however, we recognise the importance of maintaining local links and continue to have a strong position within the local business community.

"We have a strong team of 10 corporate transactional fee earners and were therefore able to accommodate the parental requests of those members of the team on maternity leave without difficulty.

"I am equally glad to say that they have all now returned to work in the department."

In reviewing the year ahead, head of corporate Rod Thomas said: "Recent events have meant that we are entering into a new and potentially uncertain period for corporate transactional work.

"There is much talk of a potential recession but currently corporate activity remains buoyant. It will only be after the changes in capital gains tax legislation in April this year that a true understanding of the market place will become apparent."