A DEAL bringing together two highly-respected Northern legal firms has been agreed.
Hexham-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors has been acquired by Cumbria-based firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors.
The amalgamation will 'ensure existing Nicholson Portnell clients and the wider north east community will benefit from a broader range of legal expertise and resources with access to specialist agricultural, employment, dispute resolution, private client, business services and family law teams', the firms said.
Richard Nelson, senior partner at Nicholson Portnell, said: “We are delighted to be coming together with such a prestigious, well-established firm like Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, with whom our values and ethos are very much aligned.
“Cartmell Shepherd is passionate about the welfare of its staff and supporting career progression, and the importance placed on the well-being of its employees was a big factor in agreeing to join forces.
"This is an exciting development for Nicholson Portnell and we look forward to providing enhanced legal services to our clients from our iconic building in Hexham town centre.”
Nicholson Portnell was formed in 2003 following the merger of law firms Nicholson Wood & Gregg and Portnell Ward & Rose.
Richard, a partner with Portnell Ward & Rose prior to the amalgamation, said he was 'excited about the opportunities' being associated with Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors would bring for Nicholson Portnell.
“Nicholson Portnell came about because we took two existing, well-respected firms and created out of them a single entity,” said Richard, who will become a senior partner at Cartmell Shepherd.
“That resulting entity proved to be far more than the sum of its parts and I can honestly say that creating Nicholson Portnell was the best thing to have happened to me in my career.
“I have every expectation that coming together with Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors will be every bit as successful in forming a strong and secure legal practice, and above all one in which everyone involved will be proud to be part of.”
The acquisition strengthens Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ presence in the North East, as it already has an office in Haltwhistle.
The firm also has five well-established offices across Cumbria, with bases in Carlisle city centre, Rosehill Industrial Estate in Carlisle, Cockermouth, Penrith and Brampton.
Peter Stafford, managing director of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “Nicholson Portnell has been providing trusted legal and advice guidance to North East communities for decades and we are delighted that we have come to an agreement where we can combine the excellent services both legal practices provide for the benefit of our clients and our teams.
“This deal is a major milestone in both firms’ long histories and will bring many benefits through our shared values and our shared vision for the future.
"Joining forces with Nicholson Portnell will help strengthen our presence in the Tyne Valley and Northumberland and support and enhance the great work both teams carry out on a daily basis."
Nicholson Portnell currently employs 26 members of staff and will continue to operate from their Hexham office.
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