Specialist commercial disputes firm Signature Litigation saw its revenue growth slow to 1.4% during the past financial year after jumping by more than a fifth in 2021.

Revenue edged up slightly to £27.8m from £27.4m during the same period a year ago. While revenue growth has slowed over the past 12 months, revenue has more than doubled over the past five years and has achieved an annual compound growth rate of 23.4% since its launch a decade ago.

Meantime, the firm paid out a profit share of 18.7% to its staff as part of its fixed profit-sharing model, compared to 17.6% last year. Profit per equity partner was not disclosed.

Signature’s CEO, Kevin Munslow, said: “A decade after launch Signature has achieved our goal of steady growth and becoming established as a serious player in the high value disputes arena.”

Munslow noted the 19-partner firm had grown to 70 lawyers and 30 support staff since its original 2012 foundation by a pair of former Hogan Lovells partners.

He added: “Our offices all report robust financial results maintaining our long-term goal of managed year-on-year growth.”

The firm has also hired international arbitration specialist Tsegaye Laurendeau as a partner in its London office from Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes.

Laurendeau’s practice spans commercial and investment arbitrations both for the public and private sector, including North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, spanning both Anglophone and Francophone clients. He has a particular focus on M&A, investment funds, international financing and joint venture disputes in the oil and gas, energy, mining, construction and telecoms industries.

Founding partner Graham Huntley said Laurendeau’s previous experience in London and Paris “will support our strategic offering of international commercial and investment arbitration, including in Africa where we believe our niche focus and flexibility is attractive to our present and future client base.”

Laurendeau spent 18 months at Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes, a French boutique firm founded by the late Emmanuel Gaillard. Laurendeau previously spent 10 years at Shearman & Sterling, Gaillard’s former firm, having trained and qualified at Allen & Overy.

Laurendeau’s arrival follows the hiring of financial services partner Simon Fawell in November last year from Dechert. However, the firm lost former head of knowledge, Johnny Shearman, who joined Keidan Harrison as chief operating officer and counsel in April this year.