Giles Wilson becomes part of Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP

Giles Wilson is happy to announce that it has been acquired by the highly experienced and reputable Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP (FJG), part of Lawfront.

This acquisition brings Giles Wilson’s 35-strong Leigh-on-Sea team into FJG. The Giles Wilson name will remain during the initial transition period, before changing into the FJG brand at a later date.

The firm’s presence in Leigh-on-Sea will remain, centred on its London Road office, while its Property Team will continue to operate from its Leigh Broadway office.

Melinda Giles, Managing Partner of Giles Wilson, said: “Our firm has strong local roots and in FJG we found a firm that shares our strong commitment to clients, our belief in our people and our ambition for the future.

“Importantly, as an employee-owned business since 2022, our colleagues had a voice in this decision. Their enthusiasm for joining FJG reflects a shared belief that together, our firms can achieve even more for our clients, colleagues and communities.”

As part of the transition, Melinda, Philip Giles, and other prominent partners of Giles Wilson will become partners at FJG, lending their comprehensive knowledge and experience to support clients and colleagues across the firm.

Melinda noted: “With FJG’s excellent infrastructure around us, our leadership team can dedicate more of its time to delivering the best client care and legal advice possible, something we all value above anything else.”

Melinda will also continue her work as a leading contributor for Private Client law, with numerous appearances across television, radio and podcasts.

For Giles Wilson’s clients and community, it will be business as usual. Nothing will change in terms of the firm’s locations, the people responsible for handling their cases, or the outstanding standard of service that Giles Wilson has upheld since its foundation in 1950.

In fact, the firm’s partners believe this development will only further enhance the resources and expertise available to Giles Wilson’s clients and employees.

“FJG’s extensive expertise across numerous areas, as well as the technical resources available as part of Lawfront, will allow our clients to access a breadth of services and knowledge that we could not provide them as a local, independent firm, including medical negligence, personal injury and immigration services,” explained Philip Giles.

“This acquisition gives us the best of both worlds. We retain the relationships, local knowledge and personal approach that have made Giles Wilson successful, while giving our clients access to greater resources and expertise to better support them, their families and their businesses at every milestone.

“Our colleagues will also benefit from a wider range of work, expertise and progression opportunities as part of the FJG team.”

Doug Field OBE, Managing Partner of FJG, said: “This is a big moment for FJG. We have serious ambitions for what a truly outstanding regional law firm can become, growing our team to over 150 people.

“Giles Wilson is exactly the kind of business we want to join us: successful, respected, deeply connected to its communities and, above all, full of talented people.

“The legal market is changing quickly, and we intend to be at the forefront of that change in East Anglia. As part of Lawfront, we have the backing, technology and ambition to drive significant growth, while retaining the local relationships and personal service that make the best regional firms special.”

Axel Koelsch, Chief Operating Officer of Lawfront, said: “Giles Wilson, a respected firm with deep roots in its community and commitment to its people, is joining a group that can give it the investment and reach to grow further.

“For FJG, this transaction adds real depth in family, contentious probate and commercial services. It strengthens their position along the whole Essex corridor and supports the ambition to be a leading firm across the East Anglian legal market. That's the pattern that Lawfront wants to repeat – backing firms that are already strong, and giving them the technology, capital and operational support to go further.”

Adam Croft, Head of Deal Advisory at Affinia, who advised on the transaction, said: “This brings together two highly respected firms with shared values, strong client relationships and complementary strengths. Throughout the process, it was clear that there was a genuine alignment between the ambitions of Fisher Jones Greenwood and the culture that has made Giles Wilson such a successful firm.

“The acquisition creates exciting opportunities for their colleagues and clients alike, while strengthening FJG's presence across Essex and beyond, supporting its continued growth ambitions across the wider region. It has been a pleasure to support the Directors and we look forward to seeing the combined business build on the success achieved to date.”

About Giles Wilson

Giles Wilson is a long-established South Essex law firm with a strong presence in Leigh-on-Sea and Southend. Melinda and Philip Giles acquired the firm in 1997 and took it from strength to strength, creating a well-known Leigh-on-Sea brand. The business transferred into an Employee Ownership Trust in 2022.

About Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, a member of Lawfront since 2021, is a prominent law firm offering a comprehensive range of legal services to corporate, public and private clients from its offices in Essex, Suffolk and central London.  

FJG has office locations in Colchester (head office), Chelmsford, Billericay, Braintree, Clacton-on-Sea, Sudbury and (by appointment only) London, plus now in Leigh-on-Sea.

With the added strength and resources of the central team at Lawfront, and an unwavering commitment to providing legal advice and representation with a conscience, Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP delivers exceptional support with integrity and care.  

About Lawfront Group

Lawfront provides legal services to individuals and businesses through leading regional law firms Brachers LLP, Farleys, Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, Nelsons, Slater Heelis, Trethowans and Field Seymour Parkes.

Backed by private equity fund Blixt, its vision is to build a high-quality, national business, dedicated to its people, and retaining the very best in the profession to provide the best possible service to clients.  

Lawfront backs its regional firms to achieve their growth ambitions through investments in people, technology, cross-group collaboration and further local acquisitions, with the support of a highly experienced central team.