Manchester solicitors office to double in size

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors have unveiled plans to double the size of its Manchester office by adding new departments.

The expansion was prompted by the firm's merger with niche outfit Alexander Harris last May, which created a nationwide 94-partner personal injury (PI) powerhouse.

The one-year-old office will see matrimonial, private client, commercial litigation and investment services added to its existing PI and clinical negligence work.

The office currently has three full-time partners in its 50-strong staff complement. The firm is looking to double this, or at a minimum have 40 additional staff.

Leading Manchester solicitor comments

PI solicitor Grahame Codd, who moved from the firm's Sheffield office to head Manchester, said he is also planning to "develop and grow" all existing practices, including white-collar crime, public law and employment litigation.

"We're currently expanding the Manchester office through staff coming over from our Leeds and Sheffield offices," said Codd, who is the son of former Bolton Wanderers winger Ronnie, who played alongside Nat Lofthouse. "It's important that we ensure that the Manchester office is strong, as the city has many high-value clients that we need to cater for." 

The Manchester solicitors team, however, may not stop at doubling its office size, as the firm has a six-month option to lease a third floor to add to its current 11,000sq ft at the Bauhaus building on Quay Street, where the practice moved to at the end of last year.