Law firms’ successful merger is celebrated

Oct 15 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

THE merger of two prominent law firms has passed off immaculately, said one of the partners, and the joint practice is now set to increase its profile both in the North East and outside the region.

Newcastle-based Mincoffs, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, merged with Teesside firm Jacksons two weeks ago in a move which has created one of the region’s premier commercial law firms.

The joint firm Mincoff Jacksons, with 21 partners and 160 staff, is now one of the top five in the region, alongside Dickinson Dees, Eversheds, Watson Burton and Ward Hadaway.

Mincoff Jacksons is headed by the current senior partners of both practices, Howard Gold of Mincoffs and Kevin Fletcher of Jacksons.

They have been joined on the management board by Paul Hughes and John Nicholson from Mincoffs and Nigel Kidwell and Tony Wentworth from Jacksons.

Mr Gold said: “The merger passed off immaculately. This gives the joint practice great strength in depth. We have been working over the last few months to bring the firms together seamlessly, and are glad to have opened our doors on a new era.

“Despite an economic downturn we are consistently working within and outside the North East on high-profile commercial caseloads, and also continuing to recruit the best legal talent to our team. The merger will only support that growth as we enter 2009.”

“The merger will give businesses across the region the opportunity to benefit from the excellent skills and commercial understanding for which both firms are already well respected.

“In particular, clients are assured that advice comes from people who understand the region and its economy.”

Mincoff Jacksons will operate as a two-centre practice from its current offices in Newcastle and the Tees Valley.

Mincoffs has many UK-wide commercial clients and recent work includes acting for high-street names such as Tesco and Iceland food stores in the North West and Yorkshire.

Jacksons has been a key player in Yorkshire for many years, and counts CE Electric UK and the Wensleydale Creamerie at Hawes among its clients. Nigel Kidwell, managing partner at Mincoff Jacksons, said: “As separate firms we recognised a similar ethos and approach that would work well for our clients across the region if we merged. Now, as one, we are excited to bring that to the fore as one of the most significant legal practices in the North.”

Mincoffs, based in Newcastle, was established in 1948 while Jacksons’ origins date back over 130 years.

We are working within and outside the North East on high-profile commercial caseloads