East Anglian firm Ellisons Solicitors has added another 25 to its growing headcount with a new merger. Ellisons will take over the immigration and charity law specialist Gross & Co, based in Bury St Edmunds, which will be its seventh office. 

All current staff at Gross & Co, which traces its history back 170 years, will continue in their roles and remain in the firm’s premises, with senior partner Graeme Kirk and finance partner Sohan Sidhu continuing as partners. Kirk, who has chaired the immigration and nationality law committee of the International Bar Association, will also take a place on Ellisons’ management board.

The merger came into force at the start of this month, with the newly-formed firm known as ‘Ellisons incorporating Gross & Co’ for an initial period.

Guy Longhurst, Ellisons managing partner, said: ‘We truly believe that our respective service offerings and firm cultures are as near perfect a match as you’ll ever find. We are confident that our new and existing clients and colleagues will benefit from the greater opportunities and services presented by the merger, on an international scale.’

Ellisons, which was founded more than 250 years ago, has offices across Essex and Suffolk and almost 275 staff, including 25 partners. The firm also has a joint venture with a financial advisory business to offer financial planning.