In 2025 Liverpool law firm Gregory Abrams Davidson celebrated its 45th anniversary and founder Gregory Abrams, who still leads the team, tells LBN he’s bullish about its prospects for the next 45 years. Tony McDonough reports
Gregory Abrams couldn’t have imagined when he founded his law firm as sole practitioner in 1980 that 45 years later its reach would span across an ocean.
Today Gregory Abrams Davidson (GAD) operates offices in Liverpool and Wirral, and also in London from where it helps UK SMEs looking to invest and expand across the Atlantic and also US firms looking to invest and get a foothold in the UK.
Gregory is proud of the firm’s international work, spearheaded by one of his sons Jonathan Abrams, who is qualified to practice law in the UK and US. But he is also proud GAD remains rooted in its ‘high street’ origins.
He understands small businesses are the beating heart of a local economy and GAD remains the ‘go-to’ firm for entrepreneurs doing property deals or buying and selling businesses in Liverpool city region.
“One of my other sons, Paul, works with multiple small investors, particularly in the food and drink sector,” said Gregory. “The fact that he is kept so busy is an indication there is life in our high streets yet, despite the doom-laden predictions.
“Paula Hanlon, one of the most experienced commercial property lawyers in Liverpool, recently joined our team. Again, she offers a brilliant, cost-effective service to individuals and small businesses looking to do commercial property deals.
“And, of course, residential property services have been our bread and butter for many years. In November one of our conveyancing solicitors, Stephanie Williams, spoke about the increase in first-time buyers in Merseyside.
“GAD is a trusted name in residential property and we have an expert team here that we expect will make a growing contribution to the business in 2026.”
GAD opened its London office in 2009 and the base is now well established. Gregory believes this expansion was a bold move at the time – and the decision has since been vindicated.
“Given our relative size it was a big decision to expand into London,” he explained. “But we have an amazing team down there that really punches above its weight. Transatlantic work is a really valuable niche that we have carved out.
“SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK economy, and we have built a team at GAD, at both ends of the country, that understands their legal needs to an expert level.”
In November, Gregory himself was honoured at the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards for his outstanding contribution to the city, not only in building up GAD, but also his wider regeneration work in the city centre.
While many corporate law firms in Liverpool now congregate around Old Hall Street and St Paul’s Square, GAD (‘Davidson’ came as a result of a merger with Davidsons Solicitors in 2003) remains in the Mathew Street building acquired by Gregory in 1987.
It seems hard to believe now but in the 1970s and 1980s Mathew Street, a Mecca for Beatles fans from all over the world, had become rundown and neglected.
Gregory joined forces with other local business people to kick-start a renaissance of the street. What became the Cavern Quarter initiative established a blueprint for the improvement of other parts of the city centre.
Their efforts contributed to the city winning the European Capital of Culture accolade in 2003. Taking the lead from the Cavern Quarter, the council started to make similar improvements to other parts of the city centre.
Mathew Street is populated with bars and Gregory admits “it can get a bit noisy” in the late afternoons or early evenings. But he added: “I love it here and it feels like we really connect with the heart of the city.”
As part of the 45 years celebrations GAD has encouraged its team to “give something back” in its 45 Acts of Kindness initiative. It invited staff to take part in acts of kindness, big or small, saying “every action matters”.
Suggestions included buy a coffee for a colleague or a friend, leave a kind note or compliment on a colleague’s desk, donate clothes or books to a local charity, volunteer at a local shelter or food bank, organise or take part in a fundraiser or mentor someone in need of guidance.
“There is a real family feel to GAD,” added Gregory. “And not just because several members of my family work here. There is a real spirit of pulling together as one team, a collegiate approach that enables us to punch above our weight.
“When I started the firm back in 1980 I obviously had ambitions, although it is hard to look 45 years into the future. But I don’t think I could have asked for more. We have built a brilliant multi-disciplinary team.
READ MORE: Hospitality faces tough 2026, warns Liverpool lawyer
“We offer a wide range of services. For businesses we offer advice on mergers and acquisitions, property transactions, intellectual property, IT and cyber security and banking and finance.
“For individuals there is everything you would expect from a reliable high street solicitors including conveyancing, wills and trusts, dispute resolution, property auction advice as well as personal injury and medical negligence.
“After 45 years we have a reputation as strong as any other law firm in this great city which has always had a strength in professional services. I firmly believe GAD, along with Liverpool itself, will grow and prosper for the next 45 years and well beyond.”