Hill Ward Henderson is pleased to announce that Robert (“Bob”) M. Fulton has been appointed managing shareholder, succeeding R. James (“Jim”) Robbins, Jr., who served more than 20 years in the role. Fulton’s appointment is effective July 1, 2024.
Founded in 1986 by Ben Hill, David Ward, and Tom Henderson with seven lawyers, Hill Ward Henderson is now a full-service law firm with multi-disciplinary practices serving the needs of local, regional, and national clients. Headquartered in downtown Tampa with an office in Clearwater, the firm now has more than 120 attorneys and over 125 staff members. The firm has also seen exponential growth in its client base and with that growth takes pride in maintaining its strong firm and community-centric culture.
“It has been my honor to witness and shepherd our firm’s growth which has kept pace with the growth of our vibrant and dynamic Tampa Bay region. Hill Ward Henderson has the privilege of representing a truly great group of clients, many of whom we have served for decades. In our ever-present effort to best serve our clients, the firm has grown to the size, breadth and level of sophistication of practice at which it operates today,” explains Robbins. “Bob is an excellent attorney and has served successfully during his long career with Hill Ward Henderson in numerous leadership roles both inside and outside the firm. His transition into the managing shareholder role will be seamless, and he will no doubt lead the firm through this next chapter with great skill, diligence, and tremendous foresight.”
“We are a client-service industry, and success depends on keeping pace with the needs of our clients,” Fulton says. “We will continue our focus on anticipating the changing needs of our clients as our firm grows, as our region grows, and as new issues arise. Our attorneys have worked hard to develop true partnerships and deep and meaningful relationships with our clients and within our community which have steered the firm to great success, and we plan to maintain and build upon this client and community focus in the years to come.”
Both Robbins and Fulton will continue to actively practice law in their respective fields, representing clients across the region and country. As managing shareholder, Fulton will take over the internal and business management of the firm, and Robbins will serve as president and chair of the firm concentrating on the firm’s strategic planning and growth initiatives. Hill and Henderson will serve as co-chairs emeritus.