Russell Jones & Walker (RJW) is to provide conveyancing services after the purchase by Slater & Gordon, an Australian listed law firm, according to Solicitors Journal.
Slater & Gordon have taken full advantage of the Legal Services Act, marking the first law firm takeover since the new regulations came into force late last year.
RJW, a top 100 UK firm, currently generates over half of its revenue from personal injury work but the intention is to become a leading consumer legal brand in the UK. Market predictions are that within five years there will be just a few key players and RJW intend to be one of them.
Neil Kinsella, Chief Executive of RJW, will become UK Chief Executive reporting to Slater & Gordon Managing Director, Andrew Grech, and will lead the “marketing push” to build-up brand recognition across all areas, including conveyancing.
Kinsella commented:
“With the ongoing change in the legal market, you have to be properly resourced for growth. We have started to build a brand aimed directly at customers, like Slater & Gordon has done in Australia, where it really is a household name. It will be interesting to see how the market responds, but I think we have a five-year head start in acting as a company backed by a listed entity”.
If RJW succeed in becoming a key player what could this mean for other conveyancing firms?
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