Law firm Ward Hadaway has completed a merger with Teesside company The Endeavour Partnership LLP to create a 600-strong business.
The law firm, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, first announced talks with the Thornaby commercial law company amid moves to create 鈥渁 stronger, more diverse business鈥 for their clientele.
Now, as a result of the two firms鈥 long-standing relationship, The Endeavour Partnership LLP will operate under the Ward Hadaway name and identity, and all of the existing team will continue to operate from offices on Teesdale Business Park.
The firms鈥 managing partners highlighted how clients will now benefit from legal expertise across a broader range of practice areas, including succession planning, matrimonial advice, construction and tax, as well as having access to the extended networks and opportunities of the wider firm, which now has a combined headcount of almost 600 employees.
Lee Bramley, The Endeavour Partnership鈥檚 managing partner, will become executive partner of the Teesside office. The addition of the Teesside office means Ward Hadaway now has five regional centres, following the recent opening of a Birmingham office.
Steven Petrie, Ward Hadaway鈥檚 managing partner, said: 鈥淚 am delighted that The Endeavour Partnership decided to merge with Ward Hadaway. The move is part of our strategic plans to grow revenue by 100% over the next 10 years. I鈥檝e been clear about our ambitious growth plans since I became Managing Partner in 2024, and I鈥檓 proud to see our strategy coming to life.
鈥淭he alignment between our two firms has been obvious from those very first conversations. The Endeavour Partnership鈥檚 commitment to client service excellence and to its people, close attachment to the Teesside region, and straightforward, commercial approach mirrors our own vision and values. We have worked closely together for many years, and so it was a natural progression to merge, adding additional services and support to the clients of Teesside and beyond.鈥
Lee Bramley added: 鈥淲e are delighted to be joining forces with Ward Hadaway. We have worked extremely hard over the past 25 years to create a firm trusted by valued clients and colleagues. The merger gives us an opportunity to build on that, adding scale and further expertise to our offering as part of Ward Hadaway.
鈥淭he growing regulatory landscape, new and emerging technologies and the competitive market for attracting top talent drive the need for innovative thinking in the legal sector. By joining forces, and benefitting from the additional resources Ward Hadaway brings, we can deliver even better support for our clients going forwards. Ultimately, that has driven our decision to become part of a larger firm but one that in essence shares our approach to providing legal services, albeit on a larger scale.
鈥淚t is clear that Ward Hadaway appreciates that character and distinctiveness are regional traits to be celebrated. We look forward to maintaining our Teesside focus, retaining and further building on the talent we have nurtured. We will continue to leverage our expertise and knowledge of the business landscape in this area, as part of a firm that prides itself on delivering a personal and quality service in a straightforward, respectful and ambitious manner.鈥
