Leading Devon law firm expands into Exeter

Leading regional law firm Wollen Michelmore LLP will be taking another significant step in its 150 year history by opening an office in Exeter.

The thriving law firm has announced a merger with Exeter firm Morgan & Pope, based at Cathedral Yard, continuing the steady growth through office expansion seen over the last 12 years.

The merger, taking place on 1st April, will strengthen firm’s position throughout Devon with offices in Torquay, Newton Abbot, Dartmouth, Barnstaple and now Exeter.  Wollen Michelmore will then have 150 staff including 14 partners, and a turnover approaching £8m.

Wollen Michelmore Chief Executive Chris Hart said: “This is without doubt another significant step in the development of the firm, which began its life as Hooper and Wollen in the same location we have now on The Terrace in Torquay. We have grown the firm concentration on the major towns and communities throughout Devon.

“While Exeter represents a new geographical base for us our core values remain the same, and are in line with those held by Morgan and Pope.  We have friendly, approachable lawyers working from local offices,  enabling us to build strong relationships with our clients whilst offering them a high quality, nationally-recognised service across a full range of legal services In the last 12 months the firms’ Family and Private Client departments have won national awards this year recognising  the quality of the advice and service they have provided.”

Stephen Morgan, partner at Morgan Pope commented, “This is a very exciting development for us as we will be able to continue to offer our existing clients the same familiar faces and quality of work in property, wills, probate, litigation and family law, while expanding into new areas of work by drawing on Wollen Michelmore’s wider areas of expertise and strength in depth.

“Our personnel will remain the same and, importantly, we maintain our reputation as a law firm with a local friendly feel, while at the same time now having a regional and national perspective.”

Pictured, left to right: Chris Hart - Chief Executive Wollen Michelmore, Charlotte McGregor - Partner Morgan & Pope, Richard Phillips - Partner Morgan & Pope, Stephen Morgan - Partner Morgan & Pope, Terry Chetwood - Partner Morgan & Pope, Clive Meredith - Practice Director Wollen Michelmore.