Morgan Cole, the 450-strong commercial law firm with offices along the M4 corridor in England and Wales, announces its expansion into Bristol with the creation of a new corporate law team in the city.

The team includes Paul Hardman, who was previously a partner in regional practice Clarke Willmott, Corporate Partner Johnathan Rees and Associate Mark Gilder.

The team will be based in Temple Quay, the city’s new financial quarter and will provide a range of corporate legal services, specialising in mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions.

The Bristol team will focus on corporate transactions with particular emphasis on leveraged acquisitions, private equity and IPOs. The firm advises a broad range of corporate clients from listed companies to owner managed businesses and institutional funders.

Johnathan Rees said, "Establishing our corporate team in Bristol and the South West is a key part of our long term strategic development.

"We already enjoy extremely strong relationships with professional services colleagues in the banking, accountancy and investment sectors in the region and we see this expansion as an excellent geographic fit with our other successful offices along the M4 and an opportunity to consolidate and develop those existing ties.

"We very much hope to make a positive contribution to what we see as a vibrant market and we will be working closely with our contacts in the region with a view to deal origination."

The firm also has offices in London, Reading, Oxford, Cardiff and Swansea.

Robin Havard, Chairman of Morgan Cole, added, "One of the most important considerations for us was attracting the right lawyers to staff the office.

"We are delighted at Paul Hardman and Mark Gilder joining us and the established connections and synergies which they bring to the team give us a good balance and solid platform to develop our presence in the region.

"The firm is very excited at the team’s plans in the region and the growth prospects that these present. We have a number of existing clients in the region in both the public and private sectors and our presence in Bristol is further evidence of our commitment to them and the wider region."

Paul Hardman said, "This is an exciting opportunity to join a young and ambitious team with an established reputation in the corporate finance marketplaces along the M4. Morgan Cole's arrival in Bristol also further strengthens the city's reputation as a major legal services centre.

"We have made an excellent start and have been extremely encouraged by the positive reception the new team has received from our connections both within and outside the corporate finance community.

"Having completed three transactions in the first quarter our clients have been delighted at the seamless approach the firm has been able to bring to the team’s deals. It gives our offering flexibility and resource which we think distinguishes us amongst some excellent law firms in the city and wider region."

Paul Hardman and Mark Gilder have worked together for four years and will continue to develop their connections throughout the region.

For further information contact

Johnathan Rees/Tim Pashley, Morgan Cole, T: 0870 366 4644

Neil Jones, NJA PR, 029 2069 2109

Caption: Johnathan Rees, Mark Gilder and Paul Hardman of Morgan Cole