Ashtons Legal acquire Steeles Law

Ashtons Legal is to acquire Norfolk-based law firm Steeles Law on 1 December 2021.

This merger will take the Ashtons’ team to 400 people and will see the addition of Steeles’ office in Diss, Norfolk to Ashtons’ existing offices in Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich and Leeds. The majority of Steeles’ staff will transfer to Ashtons’ Norwich office, with the remainder staying in the firm’s office in Diss which will be rebranded.

Both firms are highly rated by the key legal directories – Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners – who note their strong client service to individual and business clients across East Anglia and the rest of the country. The combined business will further strengthen Ashtons’ position as one of the leading law firms in the region and allow existing and future client’s access to a strengthened, wider team offering a broader range of legal services and specialisms.

CEO of Ashtons Legal, Edward O’Rourke says: “Over the past few years we have been looking for opportunities to continue the growth of our business and the expansion of services we can offer our clients. That growth happens organically through the ongoing development of our staff but also through the strategic acquisition of key individuals, teams and firms that share our values.”

Edward adds: “Previous acquisitions in the HR Consultancy, French Property and Franchising markets have proven very fruitful and the time is right for Ashtons to bring on board a highly respected, quality firm. Steeles very much share our culture and values which has been a key part for them – and us – in deciding to move forward with this transaction. We are all looking forward to working alongside Steeles’ fantastic team.”

Oliver Brabbins, Managing Partner and Head of Employment at Steeles’ adds: “This is an exciting time for both firms, and we can’t wait to get started and to become a part of Ashtons’ ambitious plans for growth. We see this as an important step in the evolution of the exceptional quality of our teams, allowing us to integrate Steeles’ key practice areas into those at Ashtons so that we can, together, become an increasingly strong presence in the legal marketplace.”

L to R: Oliver Brabbins and Edward O’Rourke

The new Ashtons’ team from Steeles Law with Edward O’Rourke (Ashtons’ CEO), Ben Hallatt (Ashtons’ COO), James Tarling (Ashtons’ Partner) and Tim Burrows (Ashtons’ CFO).