Six years of expansion planning continues with the merger of two law firms

Leeds-based law firm Ison Harrison has merged with Castleford and Pontefract firm Maurice Smiths. Following the merger Ison Harrison now boasts 10 offices and over 190 staff.

Ison Harrison is established within the region’s top 20 law firms, servicing all sectors of society in all areas of law.

Maurice Smiths, established in 1933 and with a staff of over 20 people, specialises in residential and commercial conveyancing, wills and probate, crime and family law.

Jonathan Wearing, managing partner at Ison Harrison, said that the merger with Maurice Smiths reflects the continuation of an expansion plan that the Leeds firm has been following for the last six years

Mr Wearing said of his company’s expansion strategy: “We believe that you have to understand the markets that you move into and that you have to know what the public wants from a law firm.”

Richard Pinto, senior partner at Maurice Smiths, said that from the perspective of his law firm the deal brings the opportunity of being able to offer the company’s clients a greater breadth of service.

Mr Pinto added that he is looking forward to working in the new firm.

He said: “We can now offer the fullest range of legal services to the people of Castleford and Pontefract.”

Dominic Mackenzie, partner and head of private client at Ison Harrison, added that Maurice Smiths’ work complements the services that Ison Harrison offers.

Mr Mackenzie said: “The type of work that Maurice Smiths has done successfully for many decades complements the services that we provide.

“We also need to be comfortable that a merger will work for us and our clients in terms of both size and geography.

“We have long established branches, for example, in nearby Garforth and Crossgates.

“These offices are very similar to the Maurice Smiths offices as well as collectively giving us a very large presence to the South and East of Leeds.”