Howells gets bigger with rival's work

Sheffield-based immigration law specialist Howells is expanding, following a deal in which the firm is taking over both the specialist staff and caseload from rival Taylor & Emmet.

Taylor & Emmet's head of department Jane Amory and caseworker Hussain Saleh have joined Howells' existing team, which is headed by John Donkersley.

Howells' civil department head Guy Baddeley says the move is necessary because the caseload has more than doubled in recent years.

"At a time when the demand for immigration work is growing, as community law specialists we're delighted to be increasing the size of our immigration team," he says.

Talyor Emmet's practice manager Anthony Long says the provision of a publicly funded immigration service no longer fits with the firm's long-term strategy.

He says: "Taylor & Emmet's longer term corporate strategy is to provide a full range of high-quality company and commercial services to our clients."