Legal and professional services business Knights has announced it has launched a dedicated family law team in its Leeds office with the appointment of Senior Associate Ella Dodgson and Associate Rebecca Laffan.
Dodgson joins from Ward Hadaway where she specialised in complex financial settlements on divorce, including high-value and intricate asset division. She also advises on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Laffan who joins from Harrowells, has expertise in divorce matters and private law children cases involving safeguarding concerns. Although Knights have family teams elsewhere in the country, it is the first time they have a dedicated presence in Leeds.
On her appointment, Ella Dodgson said:
“Knights really stood out to us because of its progressive and entrepreneurial approach to legal services. The One Team ethos and collaborative culture align closely with our own values, and we’re excited to bring our expertise to Leeds and play a role in growing the Family practice here.”
Lisa Shacklock, Group Client Services Director at Knights added:
“Ella and Rebecca bring real strength and depth to our Family offering, particularly in high-value financial settlements and complex children matters. Their arrival also signals our commitment to building a strong Family presence in Leeds, where we continue to expand our private client services alongside our business-focused offering.”
The launch follows the publication of Knights’ full year financial results which showed revenue of £162 million for the year to 30 April 2025 – an increase of 8% since 2024. The group has completed a string of acquisitions across the UK in recent months, a strategy it credits for its ‘significantly increased scale in key growth markets’.
The acquisitions have added 247 fee earners – 51 of them senior – and broadened Knights’ service offering across the 32 offices. The acquisition of Thursfields Legal Limited saw the company expand its Midlands presence, while its South East capabilities were ‘significantly scaled up’ with the the acquisition of IBB Law LLP.
‘Both acquisitions are integrating well and trading in line with expectations’, Knights said.
David Beech, CEO of Knights, commented:
“Our proven strategy continues to deliver, as shown by our double-digit profit growth and enhanced margins during the year, despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
“This has been a year of step changes for the business, with strategic progress and a strengthened leadership team embedding enhanced operational discipline – all underpinning the Group’s platform for future growth. We have built strong recruitment momentum and reduced churn, while advancing our value-accretive acquisition strategy – including our largest acquisition to date in the second half – and continuing to win new clients.”
In the current financial year, Knights has established its first Welsh office with a Cardiff-based team, and acquired south-east based firms Rix and Kay and Birkett Long.
‘We have started the current financial year in line with our expectations and are well positioned to seize the opportunities presented by the structural trends in our industry’, Beech said.
“We are now benefitting from increased recognition of our differentiated proposition as a leading brand, which combines national scale and premium services with local presence and relationships.
“We expect growth in FY26 to be supported by the momentum we have seen building through attracting and retaining high calibre professionals and clients, complemented by building on our strong acquisition track record, with an encouraging current pipeline of opportunities under consideration. We, therefore, continue our focus on delivering profitable growth through the year and in the medium-term, as we build and extend our services across the UK.”
The full year results and statements are available to view on the London Stock Exchange.
