New law firm for Leeds

As part of its ongoing strategy to take a larger share of the UK legal market, Shoosmiths has announced that it wiill open new office in the city and has already made its first appointments with employment partners Simon Robinson and Phil Crowe joining from Gordons.

Commenting on the expansion, Shoosmiths chief executive Claire Rowe said: 'This exciting move into Leeds will enable us to access one of the largest legal markets in the UK outside of London, bringing both new people and clients to the firm.

'We have an ambitious growth strategy, which includes taking a larger share of the domestic market, and have chosen to build our practice organically through carefully planned expansion of our teams and services across locations, in response to client demand. We are focusing on the client experience and listening very carefully to what our clients are asking for. This strategy has enabled us to grow a larger share of our clients' legal spend because they like what we deliver.

'Although we already advise clients based in Yorkshire, this new office will enable us to develop more work from some of the largest national and international corporates in that region. We plan to create a Northern hub of legal expertise for Shoosmiths' clients with our Leeds and Manchester offices working closely together and anticipate recruiting specialists in key fields including corporate, real estate and commercial disciplines to help us fulfil that goal.'

Shoosmiths has a track record of successful national growth and in recent years it has opened new offices in Manchester and Edinburgh as a result of client demand. Its Manchester office was opened in 2008 with the recruitment of a team of six and now has over 150 people, and the Edinburgh office was established as a result of a merger with Archibald Campbell & Harley in 2012.