Gemma Bullmore spent two years representing central government clients at the Grenfell Tower and Covid-19 public inquiries. Now she’s joining a B Corp-certified boutique law firm in London.
Bellevue Law confirmed Bullmore’s appointment on Tuesday, making her the third disputes specialist to join the team in recent months. Catherine McBride and Lianne Craig arrived earlier in what’s shaping up to be a determined expansion of the firm’s litigation practice.
The career arc tells its own story. Bullmore spent a decade at Weil, the global firm, before switching to the Government Legal Department. Most recently, she was part of Nomura’s litigation team in London. Nearly 20 years of commercial disputes work—contract claims, shareholder battles, insolvency, fraud—delivered across private practice, government, and investment banking.
Her government work extended beyond the high-profile inquiries. Bullmore defended judicial review claims and handled tribunal proceedings, building expertise in regulatory scrutiny that boutique firms typically struggle to replicate. Cross-border investigations and arbitration featured heavily. So did mediation and strategic risk management for clients navigating complex, high-value disputes.
For Bellevue Law, the hire signals ambition. Boutique firms compete for talent against City practices with deeper pockets and global platforms. Landing someone with Bullmore’s credentials—particularly the public inquiry experience—suggests the firm’s pitch is working.
Florence Brocklesby, who founded Bellevue Law, didn’t hide her satisfaction. “We are thrilled to welcome Gemma to Bellevue,” she said. “She is an exceptional disputes lawyer with an impressive breadth of experience across both private practice and in-house roles. Her ability to navigate complex, high-stakes matters – particularly those involving regulatory scrutiny and public sector issues – will be invaluable to our clients. Gemma’s collaborative approach and depth of expertise make her a fantastic addition to our team.”
The B Corp certification sets Bellevue apart in the legal market. Few law firms pursue the accreditation, which requires meeting social and environmental standards that sit uncomfortably with traditional partnership models. Bellevue specialises in workplace law and commercial disputes, staffing its team with partner-level specialists drawn from leading City and international practices.
Bullmore’s experience spans both private and public sectors—a combination that’s relatively rare in disputes practices. Contract claims for private clients demand different instincts than representing government departments under the intense scrutiny of public inquiries. Shareholder disputes and insolvency work require commercial sharpness. Regulatory matters and employment issues add further layers.
The Weil background provided the foundation. Ten years at a global firm builds technical skills and exposes lawyers to cross-border complexity that smaller practices can’t always offer. The Government Legal Department stint added public law expertise and high-stakes inquiry experience. Nomura brought in-house perspective and financial sector knowledge.
“I am really excited to join Bellevue Law at such a dynamic stage in its growth,” Bullmore said. “The firm’s innovative approach and strong client focus are incredibly appealing, and I look forward to contributing to the continued development of its disputes practice.”
Three appointments in quick succession suggest Bellevue is building capacity fast. Disputes practices require depth—one or two specialists can’t cover the range of commercial litigation, regulatory investigations, employment tribunals, and cross-border arbitration that clients increasingly demand. McBride and Craig arrived first. Bullmore completes a trio that gives the firm genuine coverage.
The timing reflects broader shifts in the legal market. Lawyers are moving from global firms to boutiques, from in-house teams to private practice, from City institutions to smaller outfits promising different working models. Bellevue’s B Corp status and partner-level team structure clearly appeal to some.
Whether the firm can retain talent as it scales remains an open question. Boutiques offer autonomy and values-driven models. They can struggle with the resources and global reach that major disputes require. Bullmore’s cross-border investigation experience and regulatory expertise will test how well a smaller platform can serve clients with international needs.
For now, Bellevue has landed a significant hire. The Grenfell and Covid-19 inquiry credentials alone mark Bullmore out—those assignments go to lawyers with serious technical ability and the temperament to handle politically sensitive, high-pressure cases. Adding that expertise to a disputes practice focused on pragmatic, commercially focused advice creates interesting possibilities.
The real test will come when complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes land on the team’s desk. Three partner-level specialists provide capacity. But disputes practices scale through reputation and repeat work. Bellevue will need to convert these hires into case wins and client growth.
Bullmore’s diverse background—global firm, government department, investment bank—positions her to handle varied instructions. The regulatory scrutiny experience matters particularly. Businesses facing investigations need lawyers who understand how authorities think and operate. Government Legal Department alumni bring that perspective.
The next six months will reveal whether Bellevue’s hiring spree translates into sustained practice growth. For Bullmore, the move represents a shift from in-house security to the demands of private practice at a firm still establishing its market position. For Bellevue, the appointment signals confidence that its model can attract—and retain—top-tier disputes talent.
