Cottrills joins forces with Slater Heelis

MANCHESTER law firm Cottrills has been absorbed by larger rival Slater Heelis.

Cottrills has 15 staff and its four partners will become members of Slater Heelis which has offices in Sale and Timperley. Managing partner Anne Irwin will become the managing partner of the city centre office.

The firm said the deal would give clients the benefit of expertise in areas such as family and corporate and commercial law that it does not cover.  

Slater Heelis’ Chris Bishop will become managing partner at Sale and Timperley and Mike Fox will be senior partner. The deal takes the total workforce to over 100.

Anne Irwin said: “The name of Slater Heelis still resounds in the Manchester business community and the opportunity to offer our clients the expertise afforded by Slater’s corporate/commercial team headed by Partner Geoff Blower and including the highly experienced Partner Katharine Mellor, renowned as the first female president of the Manchester Law Society, made this deal one which I did not think we should miss.”

Mike Fox said: “Cottrill Stone Lawless has always been a highly respected city centre practice with a reputation for providing expert advice and exceptional client service. They have a first class client base and share our values and ethos. They care about their clients and colleagues and strive to provide a service second to none.  

“To be associated with Cottrills and see the name Slater Heelis reappear in the city centre makes me extremely proud. I have no doubt that our clients will benefit from the exceptional talents of Cottrills’ experienced team.”