Top 40 law firm set to launch in Leeds

LAW firm Shoosmiths has announced that it will be opening its newest office in Leeds.

Employment partners Simon Robinson and Phil Crowe have joined from Gordons to lead the expansion.

It will be Shoosmiths eleventh office. The firm recently reported a 10% hike in revenue for 2015, growing it to £102.7m.

It has opened offices in Manchester in 2008, expanding from six to 150 people. It established itself in Edinburgh following a merger with Archibald Campbell & Harley in 2012.

The firm has not yet set a confirmed date for the office opening, although it said it would be late 2016

Shoosmiths chief executive Claire Rowe said: “This exciting move into Leeds will enable us to access one of the largest legal markets in the UK outside of London, bringing both new people and clients to the firm.

“We have an ambitious growth strategy, which includes taking a larger share of the domestic market, and have chosen to build our practice organically through carefully planned expansion.

“Although we already advise clients based in Yorkshire, this new office will enable us to develop more work from some of the largest national and international corporates in that region.

“We plan to create a Northern hub of legal expertise for Shoosmiths’ clients with our Leeds and Manchester offices working closely together and anticipate recruiting specialists in key fields including corporate, real estate and commercial disciplines to help us fulfil that goal.”

In April, Shoosmiths denied it had plans to open in Leeds. At the time it said: “Shoosmiths is ambitious and is always looking at recruitment opportunities across the UK.  

“For example, the firm recently recruited real estate partner Barbara Rollin from Gordons in Leeds to add further strength to its North West property finance team and she is based in our Manchester office.  

“We have no current plans for Leeds, but if this changes, you will be one of the first to know.”