Law firm Stephensons Solicitors LLP has agreed plans to merge with Altrincham practice, Dobsons Solicitors.
The civil litigation firm, which provides legal services in family, housing, personal injury, professional negligence, general disputes and employment law, will be incorporated into Stephensons, a full service law firm with offices in Wigan, Leigh, Bolton, St Helens and Manchester city centre.
Dobsons’ eight staff will transfer to Stephensons and its Altrincham office will be rebranded as ‘Dobsons Solicitors, part of Stephensons Solicitors LLP’ during the phasing-in process.
The merger will expand Stephenson’s presence in the Greater Manchester area and bring the number of offices the firm has across the North West to eight.
Ann Harrison, chairwoman of Stephensons, said: “The legal profession is undergoing significant changes in the post-ABS world, with non-legal brands now entering the legal sector.
“The merger of our two like-minded firms is part of our strategy to expand our reach to compete in this highly competitive sector. Growing our practice places us in a stronger position to challenge new entrants to the marketplace by providing clients with legal services the way they want them and in locations which are easily accessible.
“This new location will enable us to expand our family, residential property and probate services into a new area of the region.”
Jonathan Dobson, the principal of Dobsons, said: “There is a clear fit between our culture and future direction and we are excited about the prospect of working together to provide our clients with the best possible legal services.
“The merger allows us to provide a wider range of services to clients, who we would normally have to refer on to others if we did not have the relevant specialist. Joining with Stephensons gives us the ability to give our clients the complete service, whatever their legal matter may be.”
The newly-enlarged practice has 29 partners and almost 400 staff.
Ann Harrison with Jonathan Dobson
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Stephensons is one of the region’s largest law firms and has eight offices across Wigan, Leigh, Bolton, Manchester, Altrincham and St Helens.
Media information: Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01616 966 229
E: lianne.tracey@stephensons.co.uk