Smalleys Solicitors, based in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, will now be able to offer more legal services to businesses and individuals after being acquired by Coventry-based Askews Legal LLP, along with Cocks Lloyd Solicitors in Nuneaton, and John Mohamed & Co in Bedworth.
Key to the acquisitions is the desire to maintain the identities of the local businesses, which each have long-standing histories in their towns, while helping them to expand their offer to their communities. This will include modernising processes and aiming for further growth.
In each case, the existing partners were retiring and wanted their practices to be taken on by someone who would protect the brand and reputation they have spent years developing. All staff and the physical office locations have been retained and retiring partners are assisting with the transitions.
Smalleys Solicitors has over 20 members of staff, specialising in various aspects of law including conveyancing, wills and trusts, and family law. As well as the existing services, Smalleys’ clients will now also be able to access the additional specialisms offered across the wider Askews group.
Askews Legal LLP is a full service law firm, taking care of legal matters across criminal law, civil litigation, commercial property, public family law, conveyancing, wills, estates and trust, and all aspects of corporate and employment law.
The size of the business has doubled as result of the investment, both in terms of revenue and number of employees, which has increased from 60 to 120.
Practice manager, Pritpal Chahal, 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. We put a lot of time and effort into finding the right businesses to bring into the Askews group, and equally, they had to choose us too.
“The partners at Smalleys, Cocks Lloyd and John Mohamed & Co have all put their heart and soul into these businesses over many years and they didn’t want them to be swallowed up by a big regional business. It was important to them to see their names and reputation continue because they have built up so much respect in their communities, and we are also keen to see that continue.
“The acquisitions allow us to expand the Askews offering into new locations, while bringing more legal services to the Nottingham, Nuneaton and Bedworth areas.”
Smalleys retiring partner, Deanne Taylor, said: “Smalleys has had a presence in Arnold for around 30 years and we’ve built up an excellent reputation in that time. I’m delighted that the firm’s future has been secured by becoming part of a wider group that shares our values, ethics and commitment to providing the best possible service to each individual client.”
