NatWest funding supports law firm expansion

Lester Morrill has completed a merger and expansion by acquiring the premises next to its base on Park Square in Leeds. The solicitors decided to grow after joining forces with another Leeds-based law firm, Davis Gore Lomax.

Lester Morrill secured funding for the purchase through a six-figure loan from NatWest bank. The management team were advised by auditor Mike Jackson at Baker Tilly.

After doubling the size of the company’s premises, 25 members of staff from Davis Gore Lomax will transfer into the new building. The firm dates from 1974 when Rodney Lester founded a legal practice, and he was joined by Julia Morrill in 1983.

The firm changed its name to Lester Morrill in 1995, and today it specialises in providing services linked to clinical negligence cases, family law, civil liberties and crime.

Mr Lester, who is the senior partner at Lester Morrill said: “This is an important milestone in the history of Lester Morrill and I’d like to welcome our new colleagues from Davis Gore Lomax who, like ourselves, are dedicated to provide a publicly funded service into our newly expanded home.

“We are keen to offer the highest standard of service to our clients and this merger and expansion will allow us to deliver our professional yet personal service to an even greater number of individuals who require legal assistance.”

Dave Smithies, a relationship director at NatWest said: “Lester Morrill is a well known name in the city and this merger was a great opportunity to expand.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to provide the necessary funding to support this growth.”

Lester Morrill recently secured the Law Society’s management quality mark, Lexcel.

Mr Lester added: “While we are proud to have secured Lexcel, it is our clients and staff who are the main beneficiaries.”

The certificate of accreditation was presented by John Wotton, President of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Lester Morrill joins more than 1,000 other legal practices in England and Wales who have achieved this accreditation.