The law firm transfer window has kicked into gear with an East Midlands firm poaching a team of four from its national rivals.

Nelsons has brought on board corporate lawyers Gavin White, Rachel Bennett, Hannah Jones and Peter Abel from listed firm Knights. White and Bennett will be appointed as partners while Abel will arrive as legal director at the end of this month.

The team capture is the third such move by Nelsons this year: it also recruited specialist personal injury partners from Barratts and welcomed a trio of insolvency lawyers from Knights.

White worked for Eking Manning, Gateley, Flint Bishop and then Fraser Brown before it was acquired by Knights in 2020. Speaking about the Nelsons move, he said: ‘The firm is on a great trajectory while maintaining a commitment to the East Midlands market, which is really refreshing. I could see this was a natural fit for me particularly with the impressive work ethic and business culture.

‘Being able to move with Rachel, Peter and Hannah is special as we are a very close-knit team. We are hugely supportive of each other and making this move is really testament to that relationship.’

Bennett spent eight years with Geldards before also moving to Gateley and then Flint Bishop before joining Knights. Jones and Abel bring around 10 years’ legal experience each, both having worked at Fraser Brown and joining Knights as part of the acquisition in 2020.

Nelsons is part of the Lawfront group, which is backed by the private equity firm Blixt Group and which also includes north west firm Farleys and Essex practice FJG.

Chief executive Stewart Vandermark said the new structure had been pivotal in attracting lawyers to want to join.

He added: ‘Our unique culture and clear vision, as well as the new opportunities opened by being part of Lawfront, have played an important part in the increased interest from professionals at the top of their field which we have benefited from this year.’

In the financial year ending 31 May 2023 – just prior to its takeover by Lawfront – the business increased turnover to £21.8m and reported that profit before tax jumped 50% to £4.6m.

 

Pictured above (L-R): Peter Abel, Hannah Jones, Rachel Bennett and Gavin White