Farleys, part of fast-growing legal services group Lawfront, has completed the acquisition of Wigan-based Alker Ball Healds Solicitors (ABH).
The move marks the firm’s second acquisition since joining Lawfront in 2022 and will see Farleys further expand its reach across the North West. All 32 employees at Alker Ball Healds will remain in post, with their expertise in commercial litigation, commercial property, corporate, and private client services bolstering Farleys’ full-service offering.
ABH was formed in 2014 following a merger between the Wigan law firms Alker & Ball and Healds Solicitors, and is led by joint managing directors Gary Shepherd and Keith Whitehead. The firm has developed a strong reputation with local clients and nationally, and Alker Ball Healds will now continue as a trading name of Farleys.
The acquisition reflects Lawfront’s ongoing commitment to backing its partner firms’ growth targets, with this being the 12th acquisition within the group. In addition to support with mergers and acquisitions, Lawfront helps enable investment, including in AI and technology, as well as providing centralised operations support. This ensures Lawfront adds both value and efficiency for its partner firms whilst preserving local identities.
Commenting on the acquisition, Neil Lloyd, Lawfront CEO, said:
It is great to see Farleys complete its second acquisition since joining Lawfront. We back our regional firms to accelerate their growth ambitions. Acquisitions such as this are a positive demonstration of our commitment to invest in our firms. We are proud to welcome the ABH team to Farleys and look forward to watching the team grow and develop.
Daniel Draper, Managing Partner at Farleys said:
We are delighted to welcome the ABH team to the Farleys family as the next step in our plans to increase our presence across the region and grow our firm further.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Farleys and will unlock many more opportunities for our firm as we look to build upon the existing well-known brand, quality service and strong client base that are already associated with the ABH name in the local community. We also look forward to building the team further through recruitment in the local area.
Gary Shepherd said:
It is great to be joining a forward-thinking team of people who share our down to earth values, and a focus on delivering straightforward legal advice. When the opportunity presented itself to join Farleys, we knew that it was the right fit culturally for our people and our clients, who will all benefit from the greater resource that Farleys as a Lawfront firm can provide.
Keith Whitehead added:
We have built a fantastic team of skilled and trusted lawyers and want to continue that growth. With access to a wider range of services and resources and the well-recognised brand of Farleys, we look forward to growing our own professional family here in Wigan to continue looking after our clients, their families, and the wider business community across Greater Manchester.
