Russell Jones moves into Wales as next step in national expansion plan

FAST-EXPANDING Russell Jones & Walker has opened a new office in Cardiff - the firm's third new office in the last 18 months.

The Cardiff office will be staffed by five solicitors, all specialising in either medical negligence, personal injury or criminal cases.

Michael Imperato, a senior assistant previously based at the firm's Bristol office, will head up the new practice.

Imperato told The Lawyer that the firm's expansion of its regional network was being built on the back of existing clients, including unions like the ISTC steelworkers union and also the Police Federation. But he added that the Cardiff office would look to bring in new sources of work as well.

Gillian Solly, the partner in charge of developing the embryonic Welsh practice for Russell Jones, said: "It has become apparent that the way in which we can most effectively service our growing number of Welsh clients is from a dedicated local office."

The firm is also planning to offer its own bilingual service for the benefit of its Welsh-speaking clients.

The bi-lingual legal service will be provided by assistant solicitor Sonia McGarrigle - a personal injury and medical negligence specialist who joined Russell Jones in June this year from the Government Legal Service at the Welsh Office.

The launch of the Cardiff office brings the total number of offices in Russell Jones' national network to eight.

In February 1997 41-partner Russell Jones opened an office in Sheffield and two months later established a Newcastle presence.