Law firm acquisition establishes Liverpool base
Leeds-based legal firm Simpson Millar has acquired Liverpool law firm EAD Solicitors for an undisclosed sum as the first step in its £50m investment growth strategy.
Operating as EAD, Part of Simpson Millar, the deal sees more than 70 colleagues, including 11 partners, join the wider Simpson Millar team.
The combined firm will have just over 470 employees and a fee income of £30m.
Liverpool solicitor Ian Cohen, who was previously senior partner at Goodmans Law in Liverpool, as well as the national head of personal injury & medical negligence, and a member of the Simpson Millar’s senior management team, will be based out of the new office in Liverpool.
Ian, along with the existing EAD team, will create a strong Liverpool presence within the Simpson Millar national framework.
Established in Liverpool in 1989, EAD is ranked within the top 200 law firms in the UK.
It has a strong reputation for excellence in client service excellence, specialising in personal injury, medical negligence, employment and other private client services.
EAD is known for its work in representing trade unions, as well as representing families of football fans who died at the Hillsborough disaster.
Talks regarding the acquisition had been ongoing, but the pace quickened when EAD directors filed a notice of the intention to appoint administrators.
Simpson Millar chief executive Greg Cox said: “The acquisition of EAD is an excellent fit with our existing business and represents a significant opportunity for Simpson Millar to extend its geographical footprint into Liverpool and the North West region.
“Simpson Millar will look to build on EAD’s strong reputation in the Liverpool market, and its close relationships with a number of large trade unions. I am delighted to welcome the new colleagues and clients to Simpson Millar.”
Cathy Fielding, a partner at EAD who will join the wider Simpson Millar team, said: “This is a deal that works for both businesses, reflecting our shared values of putting our clients first.
“This acquisition strengthens our legal offering to clients across the region and we are delighted to be joining Simpson Millar.”
The acquisition follows a strategic review of Simpson Millar by the management team after Doorway, an independent and specialist provider of capital to law firms, became the firm’s new owner in January 2018.
This five year growth strategy will see the firm invest substantial sums in marketing, technology and in developing its people, while also attracting new talent.
Growth will come through developing its own ‘direct to market’ channels and further acquisitions as it capitalises on the opportunities in the consumer legal market driven through continued regulatory reform, cost pressures, changing client demands and unmet legal needs.
The acquisition of EAD is just one of a number of similar deals that Simpson Millar is currently reviewing, with the aim of becoming one of the leading consumer law firms in the UK.
