The firm was established in 1846 by Charles Walton who became solicitor to the Committee of Lloyd's in 1871. Since its earliest days, the firm has specialised in shipping and insurance law, particularly marine insurance.

In addition to representing a number of well-known shipowners and charterers, the firm has built upon its long-established reputation with Lloyd's and UK company insurers and also includes amongst its current clients, many of the more substantial underwriters in overseas markets including Continental Europe, the United States, South America and the Far East including Australia. This reflects the ever-growing importance of those markets.

The firm has extended its traditional expertise in the law relating to carriage of goods by sea to include carriage by road, air and rail and remains one of the few law firms in England solely committed to the provision of legal services to property owners, carriers and insurers involved in the transportation of goods.