Expanding law firm settles on a new acquisition

A FAST-GROWING law firm has made its fifth acquisition in as many years.

Coles Solicitors, which has its headquarters in Northallerton and additional offices in York and Thirsk, has expanded west into the Pennines after buying a practice in Settle.

Coles managing director and principal solicitor Peter Gibson has acquired the business of Derek M Jordan in Settle’s Chapel Street, in readiness for Mr Jordan’s retirement. The latter will remain with Coles as a consultant during the transition. The new acquisition will be rebranded over the coming weeks.

“We’re delighted with this expansion,” said Mr Gibson. “It’s at the opposite end of the Yorkshire Dales to our existing offices, so we can now cover the east and west of the patch.

“We’ll be retaining the service of the practice’s lawyers and support staff, and augmenting the expertise of the whole group – particularly in the area of agricultural conveyancing and probate.

“We will continue to serve the needs of Bentham clients too, with home visits as necessary, where Derek Jordan had an office for many years until May 2011.”

Agricultural property expert Simon Best joins the Settle team as part of the deal, joining Mr Jordan and fellow solicitor Lilias Glen.

“The new acquisition will enable us to offer our whole range of services from all of our offices, and we look forward to growing our client base in Settle and the surrounding area,” Mr Gibson added.

“Derek Jordan has faithfully served the people of Settle – and until last year, of Bentham too – for more than 40 years, just as his father did before him.”

Derek Jordan said: “It has been a privilege to work in such a beautiful area all my life, and I am honoured to have acted for so many people throughout that time.

“I am delighted that Coles have acquired my practice as I know they will offer an exceptional service to the people of north Craven – I wish them every success with their new venture. I am also afforded to the opportunity to assist with the transition, by being a consultant to the new firm in the coming months.”

Coles has seen major investment and development since it was taken on by Peter Gibson almost six years ago, opening purpose-built headquarters in Northallerton and taking on practices in York and Thirsk.

Today the firm is a multi-disciplinary agency, offering clients across York and North Yorkshire, Teesside and South Durham access to personal injury services, will writing, conveyancing, probate, family and employment law services. It now employs 24 staff.

* Coles Solicitors is at Trinity House, Thurston Road, Northallerton, DL6 2NA; 96 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX, Finkle Street, Thirsk, YO7 1DA and now Chapel Street, Settle, BD24 9HT. Call 03300 50200 or visit www.coles-law.co.uk.

• Tweet
• LinkedIn