Law firm extends its reach with fresh acquisition

Ridley and Hall, a Huddersfield-headquartered solicitors practice, is continuing to expand across Yorkshire with its acquisition of Newman & Bond in Barnsley.

With offices in Huddersfield, Leeds and Pontefract, Ridley and Hall, specialises in family, private client, niche litigation and property law, serving clients in the region and across the UK.

The acquisition of Newman & Bond, which provides residential and commercial property advice, family law and wills, probate and estate planning, complements and strengthens Ridley and Hall’s service offering as well as extending its geographic reach and taking its total headcount to 100.

The deal sees Jane Munden and Jill Leece joining Ridley and Hall as partners along with the rest of the 15-strong Barnsley firm, to work alongside family, property and private client law colleagues. The team will continue to be based at its premises in Church Street, Barnsley.

Despite COVID-19 disruption last year, Ridley & Hall has recovered and is continuing to see solid financial results with turnover increasing to over £3m in 2020/2021.

This follows the acquisition of Pontefract firm Bashforth Young in 2019 and the opening of an office in Leeds in 2018, as well as organic growth as the number of client has kept rising.

Emma Pearmaine, managing director of Ridley & Hall, said: “Newman & Bond has established a strong reputation as a specialist, independent firm, and its services are a great fit with Ridley & Hall, further strengthening our family, private client and property law expertise.

“Like us, they are long-established, are known for the quality of their work and also provide legal aid services.

“This latest acquisition continues our strategy of joining forces with like-minded firms in other parts of the region who share our focus on providing outstanding and affordable legal advice.

“The location between our Huddersfield and Pontefract offices gives us a local presence in South Yorkshire and a loyal client base; we are excited to be working with such experienced colleagues as we continue to grow the firm.”

Leece added: “We are really pleased to join Ridley and Hall. Jane and I both consider this to be a fantastic opportunity for our people and our clients, all of whom will benefit from being part of a larger firm who share our values and dedication to quality legal services.”