Ridley & Hall, headquartered in Huddersfield, has kicked off 2018 with three new partner appointments and opening a new office in Leeds.

Daxa Patel is now a partner in the firm’s Medical Negligence department, with Melanie Hartley and Clare Linden joining its growing Family Law team. All three join from Simpson Millar.

The new trio will particularly be making their mark from Ridley & Hall’s new Leeds office at Park Place, which opened this month.

Emma Pearmaine who joined the firm as a Director last September has taken on the role of Managing Director. It follows a recent run of successes in attracting new property developer clients who previous MD, Adam Fletcher, will now be dedicating his time to as Director of Property.

“We have set ambitious targets and are meeting them all. The opening of an office in Leeds is part of our strategy to grow as a leading Northern firm,” says Emma Pearmaine. “Clients who might find it more convenient to meet with us in Leeds, are now able to do that when it suits them.”

The 90-year old law firm is most well-known for advising clients in the areas of Family and Matrimonial, Care and Adoption, Kinship and Community Care, Property, Court of Protection and Wills and Probate.

Ridley & Hall now employs 65 people. It turned over £2.5million in 2016 and aims to double that by 2020.

“We are ambitious yet sensible, and that’s how we will grow the firm – in a sustainable manner which will most likely include both strategic acquisitions and further new appointments,” says Emma. “This is an exciting time of investment into attracting the highest quality of people to deliver outstanding legal services to clients.

“Daxa, Claire and Melanie’s move to join us is a testament to the confidence people have in the firm and in the management team. This is a great place to work, and I am really pleased to welcome former colleagues to the team.”

Ridley & Hall announced the appointment of Emma Pearmaine who was previously Director of Family Services and Anthony Elston who was previously Finance Director at Simpson Millar to its board in September 2017.

From left to right – Daxa Patel, Clare Linden, Melanie Hartley