Law firm expands regional footprint with new office

Law firm Smith Partnership has expanded its regional footprint with the opening of a new office.

The firm, which is based in Derby, has recently opened its latest new office in Hanley, Stoke on Trent.

The new location occupies the former headquarters of The Sentinel newspaper in Alexander House, a site with historic significance that became vacant when the publication transitioned to remote operations in 2021.

Originally established in the 19th century as the Bethesda School it operated for many years as the editorial and production centre for the daily newspaper.

Smith Partnership already has offices in Derby, Leicester, Swadlincote, and Burton upon Trent, offering a full suite of legal services.

These range from family and criminal law to commercial legal support, personal injury, employment law, and conveyancing.

The move into Hanley forms part of the firm’s wider growth strategy aimed at strengthening its presence across Staffordshire.

The new premises were formally opened during a special ribbon-cutting event attended by the Lord Mayor of Stoke, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, alongside Kevin McGrath, managing partner at Smith Partnership.

Kevin said: “We have had a presence in Stoke for over 30 years, but the opening of this new office allows us to offer our full range services to the people and businesses in the city.

“Our philosophy is always to position ourselves centrally in all of the towns and cities where we operate not just to provide easy access for our clients but to provide real support for the efforts that so many put in to make those centres thrive.”

The firm aims to have 50 employees based at the office delivering legal services across a comprehensive range of sectors including commercial, family law, criminal defence, conveyancing, employment law, private client, clinical negligence and personal injury.