Slater & Gordon swallows PI claimant firm John Pickering
AUSTRALIAN legal consolidator Slater & Gordon – heavily linked with Manchester law firm Pannone – has announced a deal to buy another firm in the city, John Pickering and Partners.
Based at St Ann’s Passage, King Street, John Pickering is one of the largest asbestos and industrial disease specialist claimant law firms in the UK.
Founded in 1979 by John Pickering, the firm has grown to eight partners and 27 staff and has a turnover of around £5m. It has also has offices in Sheffield, Halifax and Liverpool.
The acquisition is due to be completed by the end of November.
Slater & Gordon head of UK, Neil Kinsella, said the acquisition of John Pickering and Partners would see its operations in the UK grow by approximately 27 staff.
He said: “We believe John Pickering and Partners is an ideal partner to advance our plans for strategic growth and to boost our presence in the UK. Both firms are focused on delivering high quality, affordable legal services to everyday people and this is an exciting time for Slater & Gordon as we move towards being able to bring our legal services and expertise to more people.
“The expansion of our personal injury team will see the addition of a team with an excellent reputation as experienced defenders of the rights of asbestos disease sufferers for compensation.
“The planned acquisition will help cement Slater & Gordon’s ambition to be one of the UK’s leading consumer law firms and it is a big part of a continued growth strategy.”
Paul Glanville, managing partner of John Pickering and Partners, added: “We are delighted to confirm that we have agreed to join Slater & Gordon and form one of the largest claimant chest and asbestos diseases departments nationally.
“Our organisations have much in common, both having forged reputations in fighting for justice for asbestos victims. At a time when Government reforms and the insurance industry are putting greater pressure on asbestos disease victims, we feel that by combining our strengths, we will be able to ensure that we offer the best representation for our clients.”
Other major recent Slater & Gordon acquisitions include Fentons, and Liverpool-based Goodmans Law. The firm entered the UK market when it acquired Russell Jones & Walker in 2012.
