“It feels like coming home”: Pattersons Commercial Law becomes leading east midlands law firm’s late

Nelsons, a Lawfront firm, has made its latest move in its bold growth strategy by acquiring Leicester-based Pattersons Commercial Law.

Founded seven years ago by Rik Pancholi, Pattersons Commercial Law is recognised for its corporate and commercial work, particularly with owner-managed businesses. The team will add its expertise to the existing Leicester-based, Nelsons corporate and commercial team, as well as bolstering its dispute resolution, employment, insolvency and commercial property teams, enhancing service to both Pattersons Commercial Law and Nelsons clients.

This acquisition demonstrates Lawfront’s strategy of backing the management of leading regional law firms to achieve their own growth ambitions, both organically and by acquisition. Rik Pancholi, founder and managing director at Pattersons Commercial Law, said: “An opportunity came up to explore joining Nelsons; a firm I trained and qualified with in 2008. I left Nelsons in 2011 when my family expatriated to Singapore for a couple of years and so when our discussions started, it reminded me that the culture of Nelsons is incredibly similar to that which we have created at Pattersons Commercial Law.

“This move feels more like coming back home for me personally and into a space where I know our team will thrive and our clients will be incredibly well supported. That culture appears to be even stronger with Nelsons having become part of Lawfront and I can see our experienced and knowledgeable team will benefit from the greater resources provided by our Nelsons and Lawfront colleagues.”

Tim Hastings, chairman at Nelsons, said: “I’m so pleased to welcome Rik back to Nelsons and to have his team become part of our dynamic Leicester office. Their skills perfectly complement the existing broad range of services we offer.

“Becoming a Lawfront firm has given us access to resources and additional expertise that will help us to realise our own bold growth plans, of which Pattersons Commercial Law is now a part. I’m confident that the larger combined team will be an asset to the business from day one and that they will be valued by colleagues and clients alike.”

Neil Lloyd, Lawfront CEO, said: “We are very pleased to support Nelsons in bringing the Pattersons Commercial Law team into the Leicester office and the wider group. The key to group success is backing our regional leadership teams to achieve their own growth ambitions. We look forward to working with Rik and his excellent team.”

Pattersons Commercial Law clients with current matters will be notified of the acquisition and any archived files, wills or deeds will be transferred to Nelsons for safekeeping. For more information on Nelsons, please visit www.nelsonslaw.co.uk

Pattersons Commercial Law have had a key role in supporting the Leicester Business Festival for five years including the 2023 festival.