Ambitious full-service firm Hugh James has acquired Potter Rees Dolan, the north-west personal injury and clinical negligence practice, for an undisclosed sum. The combined firm will have 83 partners, 400 fee-earners and annual turnover of about £55m.

Hugh James said it identified expansion into the north-west as part of the firm’s strategy five years ago. Since then, the Cardiff-headquartered firm has expanded its London presence through new hires, and opened offices in Southampton and Plymouth. Potter Rees Dolan, which has annual revenues of about £7m, brings nine partners and 65 staff to Hugh James. The 24-year-old Manchester firm will retain its brand for the time being and founders Hugh Potter and Helen Dolan will remain partners ‘for the foreseeable future’. No redundancies are planned.

Alun Jones, managing partner at Hugh James, said: 'Potter Rees Dolan is a well-established and very well-run Manchester firm, employing a great team of people. Our work aligns closely with theirs and together we’ll be able to provide an even better service to clients across England and Wales. It’s an honour that Hugh and Helen have chosen to pass the mantle onto us. They’ve built a very successful business over the years.'

Potter and Dolan added: 'Hugh James has an excellent reputation. We share the same commitment to placing client care front and centre and we are confident we have also secured a really bright future for our staff. What stood out for us was that, while Hugh James is an ambitious business, it remains firmly rooted in community. We’ve been impressed by the approach the partnership has taken in carefully building its London presence and we are confident that the same will be applied to develop the business in Manchester.'

New departments will be introduced into the Manchester office from across Hugh James’ private client and business service practices. 

Pictured above L-R: Alun Jones, Hugh Potter, Helen Dolan and Stephen Webb

 

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