200 year-old law firm expands with merger

YORK law firm Ware & Kay has merged with a Malton practice to increase their client base and specialisms.

Ryedale firm Pearsons & Ward, founded in 1824, has merged with the firm.

It will remain at their base under their own branding, adding 20 staff to the company.

Ware & Kay, a firm which dates back more than 200 years, have offices in York and Wetherby, and a team of 66 staff.

This is the second merger in as many years for the firm, following a deal to acquire Sykes Lee & Brydson in 2013.

Peter Kay, senior director at Ware & Kay said: “We are absolutely delighted to be merging with Pearsons & Ward, which is a very similar firm to Ware & Kay in terms of their culture and history, and dedication to providing quality service to their clients in a personal way.

“The strategy behind the merger is to provide a greater geographical coverage for the whole firm, across the spine of the A64 from the A1 to the coast.

“It gives us an enhanced capability in terms of the overall breadth of our offering but also a greater ability to specialise in some areas where we currently are not proven in having specialist expertise, for example in the agricultural sector.

“It’s overall a win-win and we are looking forward very much to working with our new colleagues.”

Pearsons & Ward specialise in advice to farmers, landowners and the rural community, as well as advice on probate and wills including inheritance tax planning together with residential and commercial transactions, family law matters and resolving disputes.