Business community celebrates law firms coming together

BUSINESSES from across the Tyne Valley joined in the celebrations to mark the coming together of two prestigious Northern law firms.

Hexham-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors and Cumbrian firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors invited guests from across the region to learn more about how the amalgamation of the two companies will strengthen the legal services provided across both geographies.

The celebration event, held at Hexham’s Beaumont Hotel, provided an opportunity for people working and living in the Tyne Valley to be introduced to members of the Cartmell Shepherd team, which has had a long-standing presence in the area through its office in Haltwhistle.

Carol O’Donoghue, the Business Development Director at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “We have been delighted with how well the teams at both Cartmell Shepherd and Nicholson Portnell have adapted since the acquisition earlier this year, and both firms are already seeing the benefits of combining our legal expertise to improve the services we provide to our clients.

“The feedback from our clients and associates has been overwhelmingly positive and we wanted to show our gratitude for their great support by hosting this event and giving them the opportunity to meet new faces and find out more about our companies.

“The team at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors would like to extend a huge thank you to the team at Nicholson Portnell and the wider Tyne Valley for such a warm welcome following the acquisition. It has made both legal firms stronger which will bring huge benefits to our clients.”

Following the acquisition in April 2024, Nicholson Portnell clients have benefitted 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.

Richard Nelson, a Senior Partner at Nicholson Portnell, was on hand to welcome guests at the event along with other members of the Nicholson Portnell team.

He spoke of his excitement about the future growth of the business through the support of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors.

Richard said: “The decision to come together with another law firm was not one we rushed into because we needed to make sure that they were the right fit for us; not only for our clients, but also for our staff.

“Having built strong working relationships with Cartmell Shepherd over the years, we were aware of the high level of legal expertise within their team.

“But what was the biggest deciding factor was the importance they placed on the wellbeing of their staff and clients, making sure everybody was supported in a personal as well as professional capacity. This aligned to our values and we couldn’t have found a better match.

“The amalgamation is a really exciting time in the history of Nicholson Portnell Solicitors, and we are all looking forward to developing the services we provide to our clients by giving them access to more legal services through the extra specialisms among the Cartmell Shepherd team.”

The acquisition of Nicholson Portnell has strengthened Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ presence in the Tyne Valley to complement its base in Haltwhistle. The firm also has five offices in Cumbria at Carlisle (two locations), Brampton, Penrith and Cockermouth.