Derby solicitors JH Powell & Co have been acquired by Rotheras Solicitors.

The deal was completed on October 28 and will see JH Powell & Co take on the Rotheras name.

Management said the partnership will see the two historic firms reinforce their service offerings, and pave the way for Rotheras to take a bigger share of the Derby legal market.

The Derby office has 15 staff including 7 legal advisors, two of whom will join as partners, increasing the headcount to 131 at Rotheras.

It will also see the city centre premises next to Derby Cathedral come under the umbrella of Rotheras鈥 four branches in Nottingham.

Both firms share a long history. Rotheras was established in 1824 and JH Powell & Co dates back to 1873.

Rotheras chief executive Christina Yardley said: 鈥淲e are delighted to be joining forces with JH Powell & Co and we welcome their highly skilled and experienced team into the Rotheras family.

鈥淛H Powell & Co operate with similar values to our own, particularly around their ethos for developing lasting client relationships, which is something that underpins the history and longevity of both of our firms.

鈥淲e found a natural synergy in our desire to increase the quality and depth of service we can offer to our clients.

鈥淲e are extremely excited to bring the Rotheras name to the Derby market and we can鈥檛 wait to get our recruitment plans underway and further expand our legal presence in Derby.鈥