We’re pleased to announce that we have acquired Doncaster-based Atherton Godfrey LLP for an undisclosed sum, in a move that creates a £20 million turnover business.

At Switalskis, we already employ over 250 staff across 11 Yorkshire offices, handling a range of specialist legal services including medical negligence, brain and serious injury, child care, wills and probate, residential and commercial property, family law, and inquests. Atherton Godfrey specialises in commercial, property, personal injury, medical negligence, wills and probate, family and employment law.

The combined Switalskis group will employ 380 staff across 12 offices in West, North, and South Yorkshire.

Atherton Godfrey’s Head of Litigation, John McQuater, Head of Personal Injury, Diane Parker , and Head of Commercial and Property, Sarah Naylor, join Switalskis as Directors. Don Bird has stepped down as Managing Partner and joins Switalskis as a consultant. All four will continue in their departmental roles at Atherton Godfrey and the firm will continue to trade and act for clients under the Atherton Godfrey name.

The combining of the firms puts Switalskis into the top 150 law firms in the country and makes it the third largest firm in Yorkshire with offices solely in the region.

Managing Director John Durkan says:

Over the last 28 years Switalskis has grown, both organically and via a series of acquisitions, into a highly successful firm with a strong reputation and many practitioners recognised as leaders in their field, regionally and nationally. Atherton Godfrey is a well-respected firm throughout South Yorkshire, with a 42-year history and specialist staff covering many of the legal services required by individuals, families, organisations, and businesses.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will work on maximising the synergies and benefits that will flow from bringing the two firms together, as well as identifying new opportunities that will see the combined group go from strength to strength. In short, we believe Switalskis and Atherton Godfrey can do great things together.

Don Bird of Atherton Godfrey says:

Atherton Godfrey has a strong reputation for providing high quality and client-focused legal services to individuals and businesses across the Doncaster and wider South Yorkshire region. With the benefit of the additional network and resources of the Switalskis group, we look forward to building on this for the benefit of our clients and those who work in our business.

If you need professional legal advice in any of our specialist areas, you can call us on 0800 138 0458  or email help@switalskis.com