Coventry law firms set for merger
TWO of Coventry’s law firms are to merge to sustain their growth strategies. The merger of De Marco Solicitors and Askews Legal creates an entity with its sights set on becoming a leading full service legal practice in the region.
The new firm – Askews Legal incorporating De Marco Solicitors – comes into effect at the start of October. It will see a team of around 20 based at the current home of Askews Legal in The Quadrant in the city centre.
The two firms said the merger would enable them to build on their client base and reputation, and fulfil a broader range of legal requirements for clients from the private, public and charity sectors.
Sandra Garlick, principal of De Marco Solicitors, said: “Our respective firms have both experienced rapid growth in recent years. By combining our staff, areas of expertise and growth strategies, we have our sights sets on becoming a leading full service legal firm in the region and beyond.
“We are very excited about this expansion and our future. Both firms have growth aspirations and it was a logical step for us, as two Coventry-based firms, to join to become stronger together.”
De Marco Solicitors was established by Ms Garlick in 2007and has become one of the largest employment law firms in Coventry and Warwickshire. Its growing team of HR, employment and business law consultant solicitors has expanded into Oxfordshire, London and the Home Counties.
Askews Legal was founded in 2011 and has a number of industry accreditations including the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), Lexcel, The Law Society’s practice management standard, as well as holding a Legal Aid franchise for family and criminal law clients.
The firm works across the civil, criminal, family and commercial law sectors, and collaborates with Askews Certified Accountants, also based at The Quadrant.
Kuljeet Sandhu, partner of Askews Legal, said: “We established Askews Legal to primarily assist the business community but we soon evolved to help the public at large and are now a multi-disciplinary office.
“Both firms operate in different areas of law and share significant plans for growth so it was natural for us to come together to enhance our offering and achieve greater expansion as one.
“It is a fantastic opportunity and will make us a bigger and stronger practice both in terms of our legal and geographical reach which can only benefit our existing clients and our new business as a whole.”
Sandhu will lead the commercial teams of the newly-merged firm whilst Ms Garlick will head up the employment and business law division, and will also be responsible for business development.
De Marco will retain its new offices at Electric Wharf in Sandy Lane, Coventry, from where Ms Garlick plans to launch an incubation platform for start-up and high-growth small businesses.
The new firm is also looking to expand its team by recruiting an additional company commercial solicitor.
