Cumbrian law firms set to merge and expand legal offering

Two Cumbrian law firms are to merge next month.

Kendal-based Arnold Greenwood Solicitors is growing through a merger with a long-established neighbouring practice.

Shirley M Evans, based in Grange-over-Sands, will continue to practise in South Cumbria as the newest member of the Arnold Greenwood team when the businesses merge in May.

Established in 1871, the Kendal firm covers a wide range of legal areas, including family and relationships, business and employment law, dispute resolution, and commercial property.

Partner, Lee Hughes, welcomed Shirley to Arnold Greenwood Solicitors, saying: “Her knowledge and experience, along with her strong reputation for providing excellent service to her clients, will be a huge asset to us.

“People in Grange can expect to receive the same high quality and personal service they are used to, with the added bonus of access to the additional areas of expertise we can offer from our Kendal office.”

He added: “This is the natural next step in the close working relationship we have had with Shirley for many years.”

Shirley Evans qualified at University of Bristol and Chester Law College, and worked for a large law firm in Manchester before relocating to south Cumbria in the early 1990s.

After a brief period working for an Ulverston-based solicitor, she took over the company’s Grange office to establish her own practice in 1994. Her main areas of expertise include wills, probate, conveyancing, powers of attorney, and commercial property leases.

Alongside her legal work, Shirley has taken an active role in the community through a variety of posts, including vice-chair of Kendal’s hospital trust, a governor of Kendal College, assistant coroner for South Cumbria, clerk to the Tax Commissioners in Kendal, and tribunal judge.She also became involved in a local support group for bereaved parents after losing her son in a road accident three years ago.

Shirley said: “It will still be me, behind the same desk, and with the same phone number, ready to help my clients in the way I always have.

“I’ve had a long cooperative arrangement with Arnold Greenwood, and this merger means I can offer a wider range of services to clients in and around Grange.”