National Law Firm To Open Second New Office In Four Years

Leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell has announced plans to open an office in Southampton – its ninth in the UK – as the latest stage in its strategic plan to drive further growth in its business.

The south coast launch will be the second new Irwin Mitchell office in four years and comes after a year in which the firm recorded income of more than £200m for the first time, completed its fourth acquisition since becoming an ABS and attracted 29 Partner-level recruits as it continues  to expand.

Court of Protection and personal injury teams will be in place from day one but the firm also confirmed plans to add other private client services including family, public law and private wealth expertise in the near future.

Irwin Mitchell also intends to develop its rapidly-growing business legal services division in the region, focusing on corporate, commercial litigation and real estate as well as other commercial services, as part of plans to develop a full offering after the new office opens in April.

A number of the firm’s existing lawyers will relocate as part of the launch team, led by the new Regional Managing Partner for Southampton, Guy Darlaston, who will move from his current role as a Partner in the London office to lead a team who will seek to build on a substantial base of existing clients and contacts in the region.

Irwin Mitchell also outlined plans to continue its recent recruitment drive in the Southampton legal market as it looks to repeat the success of its Bristol office, which opened in 2010 and has grown significantly since.

Expert Opinion

We already provide specialist legal advice to clients across the south coast but we feel that the time is now right to establish a new regional office providing greater accessibility across our range of innovative legal services for both private and commercial clients.

"Southampton and the surrounding south coast cities make up a vibrant region of the UK and we are looking forward to working with this important growing community." Guy Darlaston - Partner