Member Article

Expanding Coventry law firms to merge

Two expanding Coventry law firms are to merge with their sights set on becoming a leading full service legal practice in the region.

De Marco Solicitors and Askews Legal LLP are joining forces to become one firm from the start of October.

The new firm – Askews Legal LLP incorporating De Marco Solicitors – will have a team of around 20 based at the current home of Askews Legal LLP in The Quadrant in the city centre.

The merger will enable both firms to build on their client base and reputation, and fulfil a broader range of legal requirements for clients from the private, public and charity sectors.

Sandra Garlick, principal of De Marco Solicitors, said: “Our respective firms have both experienced rapid growth in recent years. By combining our staff, areas of expertise and growth strategies, we have our sights sets on becoming a leading full service legal firm in the region and beyond.

“We are very excited about this expansion and our future. Both firms have growth aspirations and it was a logical step for us, as two Coventry-based firms, to join to become stronger together.”

De Marco Solicitors is recognised as a leading employment law firm in the West Midlands in the renowned Legal 500 guide.

The firm was established by Sandra in 2007and has become one of the largest employment law firms in Coventry and Warwickshire. Its growing team of HR, employment and business law consultant solicitors has expanded into Oxfordshire, London and the Home Counties.

Askews Legal LLP was founded in 2011 and has a number of industry accreditations including the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), Lexcel, The Law Society’s practice management standard, as well as holding a Legal Aid franchise for family and criminal law clients.

The firm covers a wide range of specialities in civil, criminal, family and commercial law, and works closely with Askews Certified Accountants, also based at The Quadrant.

Kuljeet Sandhu, partner of Askews Legal LLP, said the new firm would build on the strong foundations established by Askews Legal LLP in a short period of time.

He said: “We established Askews Legal LLP to primarily assist the business community but we soon evolved to help the public at large and are now a multi-disciplinary office.

“Both firms operate in different areas of law and share significant plans for growth so it was natural for us to come together to enhance our offering and achieve greater expansion as one.

“It is a fantastic opportunity and will make us a bigger and stronger practice both in terms of our legal and geographical reach which can only benefit our existing clients and our new business as a whole.”

Kuljeet will lead the commercial teams of the newly-merged firm whilst Sandra will head up the employment and business law division, and will also be responsible for business development.

Sandra will retain the offices of De Marco Solicitors at Electric Wharf in Sandy Lane, Coventry, from where she plans to launch an incubation platform for start-up and high-growth small businesses.

The new firm is already looking to expand its team by recruiting an additional company commercial solicitor. For details phone Askews Legal LLP on 024 7623 1000.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophie Marsden .