Harrison Drury hails “incredible opportunity” as it expands into Stoke-on-Trent

Harrison Drury has opened an office in Stoke-on-Trent – its first outside of the North West – hailing it as an “incredible opportunity” to support the area’s business and professional community.

The office will be led by corporate partner Hayley Goodwin who joined Harrison Drury in June 2024 as part of the firm’s fast-growing Manchester office, having previously trained and worked in Stoke-in-Trent at Knights and Grindeys.

Based at Smithfield Works, Hanley, the firm has plans to grow the office with a focus on recruiting specialist lawyers that will enable it to quickly expand its service offering.

Harrison Drury has over 200 staff across eight existing offices in the North West with a strong emphasis on corporate, commercial and property services for business owners, as well as a wide range of services for individuals, including private client and family.

Hayley, who is originally from Stoke-on-Trent, said: “Being from Stoke, you’re always aware of this region’s amazing industrial heritage and entrepreneurial mindset.

"We’re home to a significant number of global companies, as well as a vast array of SMEs and owner managed businesses.

“We felt there was an incredible opportunity for an independent law firm of our size and capability to thrive here and we’re looking forward immensely to working alongside other professional firms in the region to support businesses and individuals.”

Rick Life, partner and head of Harrison Drury’s Manchester office, said: “When we opened our Manchester office in January 2024, we were initially a team of two, but we grew quickly and now have more than 30 staff in the city.

“We see our Stoke office developing in a similar way in terms of bringing in talented and dedicated people who can help our clients achieve their goals.

"In Hayley, we have someone leading the office who is passionate about the area and is also well connected with the professional services community.

“We want our growth as a firm to be considered and sustainable, expanding into other locations only where opportunities present themselves and it makes sense to do so.

"Hayley’s knowledge, experience and local connections has made this decision a natural step.” 

As a partner in Harrison Drury’s corporate team, Hayley advises on a wide range of corporate matters with a focus on clients in the SME sector, owner-managed businesses and charities.

Her expertise includes transactional mergers and acquisitions work, such as company sales and purchases, as well supporting management teams and investors on venture capital and private equity transactions.

Harrison Drury’s existing offices are spread across the North West in regions including Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria.

The firm has forged a reputation as a leading employer that encourages strong staff engagement and career progression, having been named in the Best Companies list on multiple occasions.

Its teams and people have a strong presence in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners guides to the legal sector.