Law firm MSB Solicitors is expanding outside its Liverpool city region base for the first time to open a new office in Manchester. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool law firm MSB Solicitors is to open a new office in Manchester – its first outside of Liverpool city region.

Based at No 4 St Paul’s Square in Liverpool city centre, MSB also has two office in south Liverpool and another in Widnes. Its fifth base is located at 3 Hardman Square in Manchester’s central business district.

A full-service law firm, MSB was founded 34 years ago by Paul Bibby and Sean Sexton. Mr Bibby stepped down as managing partner on his retirement in March 2018 and was replaced by Emma Carey, then head of MSB’s family department. Mr Sexton remains as a partner at the firm.

Over the last three years the firm’s revenue has seen significant growth, increasing by approximately £1.2m each year, with a further £2 million anticipated in the next 12 months. 

Having already developed strong links with clients in the property and litigation sectors in Manchester, MSB recognised it was time to set up a base to enable the firm to build on its existing relationships, as well as develop new ones in the neighbouring city.

MSB has welcomed more than 70 new members of staff in the last 18 months and now with the latest expansion as well as further plans for a new Liverpool office, the firm will be looking to recruit solicitors, paralegals, and trainees in the areas of social housing and regeneration and family law.

The Manchester office will initially house a permanent base of solicitors, admin and support staff from the firm’s family and social housing and regeneration team, with plans to include the commercial property and commercial litigation teams within the next six months.

Ms Carey said: “As a firm, we’re keen to increase our presence across the North West, expanding our services beyond Liverpool and over to our neighbours in Manchester. We’re proud to deliver excellence in legal services to all of the communities we serve – whether they be ultra-net worth clients or vulnerable clients eligible for legal aid.

“We are still very much a regional firm, and can best serve the clients of our community as we know our region better than national or international firms, meaning we can provide a truly bespoke, personalised service.”