
Nelsons deal: Tim Hastings (l) with Chris Else
East Midlands law firm Nelsons has completed its third local acquisition, in the wake of its private equity owner adding another regional practice to its network.
We reported yesterday that Lawfront had acquired Kent-based Brachers, the fifth firm it has bought, and part of its model is to support those firms in expanding through ‘tuck-in’ acquisitions.
Back in 2023, Nelsons bought Nottingham-based Cleggs Solicitors and Pattersons Commercial Law in Leicester, and has now added Burton upon Trent-based Else Solicitors.
Else Solicitors has three partners and eight other fee-earners. It is mainly a commercial practice but also offers private client services.
Nelson chairman Tim Hastings said: “Through this acquisition, we are able to bolster our commercial litigation practice, offering specialist knowledge for both new and existing clients. We are keen to build on the reputation they have established to further enhance our East Midlands offering. We are looking forward to the new opportunities this may bring.”
Founder and managing partner Chris Else said: “I want to maintain the growth and future of our talented team as well as continuing to offer more to our loyal client base – however I feel I have taken the firm as far as I can on my own.
“An opportunity presented to become part of Nelsons, which has a strong emphasis on building long-term relationships, so there is an immediate sharing of values. Joining forces enables our clients and employees to benefit from the greater resources that Nelsons as a Lawfront firm can provide.”
Lawfront chief executive Neil Lloyd added: “Acquisitions such as this are a positive demonstration of our commitment to invest in our firms.”
In an interview to mark the first year of ownership by Lawfront last October, Nelsons chief executive Stewart Vandermark said Lawfront was “not afraid to invest for a longer term than you probably are running an independent law firm, where you are more focused on trading this year to next”.
In other recent M&A news, Coventry-based Askews Legal has doubled in size to 120 employees and expanded into new locations after acquiring Cocks Lloyd Solicitors in Nuneaton, Smalleys Solicitors in Nottingham, and John Mohamed & Co in Bedworth.
Askews said that, in each case, the existing partners were retiring and wanted their practices to be taken on by someone who would protect their brand and reputation. All staff and the physical offices have been retained.
Askews was formed 12 years ago by Pritpal Chahal, Kuljeet Sandhu and Teerath Gill. Mr Chahal, the practice manager, said: “We have always had a vision of growth, but we wanted to spend time developing a good solid base from which to achieve that, while at the same time setting ourselves apart as a modern law firm, flexible to the needs of today’s clients and employees.
“We felt the time was right to accelerate our plans for growth and these acquisitions are a massive step forward.”
Law Debenture – an income investment trust underpinned by various professional services businesses – has acquired process agency business Hackwood Secretaries from magic circle law firm Linklaters. It is to be renamed LDCS Process Agent.
Denis Jackson, chief executive of Law Debenture, said: “The acquisition of Hackwood builds on our well-established and trusted global book of process agent services…
“This transaction is symbolically significant to our group and further strengthens our important relationship with Linklaters and we see potential for even closer collaboration in the future.”
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