Liverpool law firm Jackson Lees Group is continuing its expansion with the acquisition of a practice in Southport. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool law firm Jackson Lees Group has acquired Farrington Law in Southport.
Jackson Lees, which itself is owned by the Wirral-based MAPD Group, announced the deal just before Easter. It has not disclosed the value of the acquisition but filings on Companies House show Farrington Law has net assets of around £49,000.
Based in Churchtown near Southport, Farrington Law was founded by Caroline Farrington. It offers private client work including commercial property law, civil litigation, family law, wills, trusts and probate and residential property.
All members of its small team will transfer over to Jackson Lees, a £13m-turnover business formed in 2016 by the merger of Lees Solicitors, Jackson Canter and Broudie Solicitors.
In 2020, the firm was acquired by MAPD Group which is looking to expand its stable of law firms across the UK. MAPD was set up in 2019 by Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies. Mr Cullen has a 60% controlling stake in the business.
Esther Leach, managing director at Jackson Lees Group, said: “We’ve been on the lookout for that perfect addition to Jackson Lees Group.
“It was really important that we found not just the right business, but also the right people, who match who we are and what we do.
“Like the rest of Jackson Lees Group, the team at Farrington Law care about their clients as people, not just files. Providing accessible and approachable support for their clients is what makes them tick. I know we’ll benefit from their skills and expertise.”
This latest acquisition means that Jackson Lees Group will now have additional reach across Merseyside, with offices already in Liverpool city centre, Hoylake and Heswall.
Caroline Farrington added: “Having started the firm on my own and building up a great team, strong reputation and many lovely clients, I got to the point where I couldn’t grow further on my own.
“We feel very strongly about looking after our clients and want them to feel that they are our priority. We have built a really strong, close team and we work together well. A client for one of us is a client for all of us.
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“Meeting Esther, Haley Farrell (deputy managing director) and the wider team at Jackson Lees Group, it was apparent that the firm share those views. That was crucial to me.
“I’m really excited about becoming part of the Jackson Lees Group family and the opportunities that will bring for us and our clients.
“We have become a part of a very special company and we can offer our clients a wide range of services and support which we simply couldn’t before.”