Cumbria firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors acquires Nicholson Portnell

Cumbria-headquartered Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has acquired Northumberland-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors in a move which will 'strengthen the services both law practices provide to their growing client bases'.

The acquisition strengthens Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ presence in the North East as it already has an office in Haltwhistle. The firm also has five offices across Cumbria with bases in Carlisle city centre, Rosehill Industrial Estate in Carlisle, Cockermouth, Penrith and Brampton.

The amalgamation will 'ensure existing Nicholson Portnell clients and the wider North East community will benefit from a broader range of legal expertise and resources with access to specialist agricultural, employment, dispute resolution, private client, business services and family law teams', according to the firms.

Peter Stafford, the managing director of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “Nicholson Portnell has been providing trusted legal and advice guidance to North East communities for decades and we are delighted that we have come to an agreement where we can combine the excellent services both legal practices provide for the benefit of our clients and our teams.

“This deal is a major milestone in both firms’ long histories and will bring many benefits through our shared values and our shared vision for the future.

From the left, Nicholson Portnell partners Simon Jewitt, Alan Douglas and Senior Partner Richard Nelson with Cartmell Shepherd Business Services Director Carol O'Donoghue and Managing Director Peter Stafford. (Image: Supplied)

"Joining forces with Nicholson Portnell will help strengthen our presence in the Tyne Valley and Northumberland and support and enhance the great work both teams carry out on a daily basis."

Nicholson Portnell was formed in 2003 following the merger of law firms Nicholson Wood & Gregg and Portnell Ward & Rose.

Senior partner at Nicholson Portnell, Richard Nelson, was a partner with Portnell Ward & Rose prior to the amalgamation, and he said he was excited about the opportunities being associated with Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors would bring for Nicholson Portnell.

“We are delighted to be coming together with such a prestigious, well-established firm like Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, with whom our values and ethos are very much aligned,” said Richard, who will become a senior partner at Cartmell Shepherd.

“Cartmell Shepherd is passionate about the welfare of its staff and supporting career progression, and the importance placed on the well-being of its employees was a big factor in agreeing to join forces.

"This is an exciting development for Nicholson Portnell and we look forward to providing enhanced legal services to our clients from our iconic building in Hexham town centre.”

Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors works with clients across Cumbria, Northumberland and nationally. The firm’s full range of legal services is available from all of its offices, delivered by a team of more than 90 people. It is the only legal firm in Cumbria to be a member of the UK200Group.

Nicholson Portnell currently employs 26 members of staff and will continue to operate from its Hexham office.