Abbey Protection buys Lewis Hymanson Small

Legal expenses insurer Abbey Protection Group has bought Manchester commercial firm Lewis Hymanson Small (LHS). The firm, which became an ABS yesterday, has six partners and 18 fee-earners.

Abbey Protection, which itself became an ABS on 1 January, said at the time that it was looking to buy a law firm.

Ian Lewis, senior partner of LHS, said this morning that the move would allow the firm to “provide services on a much larger scale and with better support”.

He said the firm had worked with Abbey Protection for 20 years and was one of its panel solicitors.

“It is extremely exciting from our perspective,” Lewis said. “A listed company is proposing to invest in our future and bring in resources which would not normally be available for a firm of our size.”

Lewis said the acquisition would enable it to act for companies with limited access to legal expenses insurance and help advise other business in non-contentious areas like commercial property.

No additional appointments have been announced so far to the existing partners at LHS.

Chris Ward, group managing director of Abbey Protection (pictured), said: “Developing a new breed of legal service which will put the client at its heart has been a long-term strategic priority for Abbey Protection and we believe that with our investment and support, LHS will be able to continue to deliver the specialist, independent legal support that its clients deserve – and help us develop new and exciting legal markets for the future.”

Partner Daniel Berke is the COLP and COFA of LHS.