EMG grows team with Moore Barlow deal

A Durham-headquartered law firm is expanding its South East footprint as part of a deal bringing around 100 legal professionals into its wider group.

EMG Solicitors will welcome Moore Barlow’s Court of Protection team after parent company Fletchers Group agreed to acquire a number of its specialist legal teams alongside an interest in spinal cord injury firm Aspire Law.

Moore Barlow’s clinical negligence, personal injury and major trauma teams will separately become part of Fletchers Solicitors.

Around 100 colleagues, including 12 partners, will join the two businesses through the transaction, strengthening expertise across Court of Protection, clinical negligence and serious injury.

Fletchers Solicitors will also acquire Moore Barlow’s interest in Aspire Law, its joint venture with spinal cord injury charity Aspire.

Aspire Law will continue operating under its established brand, with the charity retaining its stake in the business.

The wider deal will support expansion across the South East, with new locations planned in central London, Richmond, Guildford and Southampton.

Dr Trevor Sterling (Hon. causa), senior partner and chair of the personal injury and clinical negligence division at Moore Barlow, said: “Our clinical negligence and personal injury teams have earned a first-class reputation for handling complex and life-changing cases on behalf of individuals and families across the South East. 

“The legal market for claimant injury work has become increasingly focused on consolidating specialisms. 

“Against that backdrop, we believe Fletchers Group represents the right long-term home for our clients and our colleagues. 

“The breadth of the Group’s national platform, along with its strong track record in serious injury, clinical negligence and Court of Protection work, will help ensure that clients continue to receive the highest levels of support and expertise in the future.” 

EMG currently employs more than 300 people across 14 UK offices, including bases in Durham, Newcastle, Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Nottingham, Tunbridge Wells and Reading.

The agreement marks the latest stage of growth for Fletchers Group following its acquisition of EMG and subsequent additions including JE Bennett Law and Freeths’ Court of Protection teams.

It forms part of a wider transaction which will see Knights acquire Moore Barlow’s commercial and private client legal services operations.

Emma Gaudern, chief executive of EMG Solicitors, said: “I’m incredibly excited that the Moore Barlow Court of Protection team will be joining EMG Solicitors. 

“Over recent months, EMG has welcomed specialist practice JE Bennett Law and the Court of Protection teams from Freeths and Fletchers Solicitors. 

“Each has brought valuable perspectives and ideas while contributing to the supportive and collaborative culture we are building across EMG Solicitors. 

“We know that joining a new business is a significant change. 

“Our priority will be to help our new colleagues settle in, build relationships and feel valued and supported from the outset.” 

Peter Haden, chief executive of Fletchers Group, added: “We’re delighted that such a talented group of colleagues will be joining the business. 

“They have built an outstanding reputation, and we share a strong commitment to supporting people through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. 

“Their expertise will be a fantastic addition to Fletchers Solicitors and EMG, while strengthening our presence across London and the South East. 

“We’re looking forward to bringing our teams together, learning from one another and building on our combined strengths. 

“We’re equally pleased that Aspire Law will become part of Fletchers Solicitors, and we look forward to supporting its specialist work with the spinal cord injury community and its longstanding relationship with the Aspire charity.” 

Completion is expected in early November, subject to legal and regulatory approvals, with the businesses continuing to operate separately until then.

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