Listed personal injury law firm Slater & Gordon is set to expand its footprint by acquiring two firms – Adams Leyland in NSW and Kenyons Lawyers in Melbourne. Slater & Gordon said the two acquisitions would add more than A$9m in fees to the firm on a full-year basis.

Adams Leyland is a regional NSW firm with 28 staff, offices in Albury and Dubbo, and annual revenue of more than A$4m. Most of that is derived from its personal injuries practice, but the firm also operates family law and property practices. Slater & Gordon managing director Andrew Grech said this acquisition will give Slater & Gordon an excellent base for further growth in central and southern NSW and north-eastern Victoria.

“Adams Leyland is a well run and well respected firm in locations that have been key targets for us as part of our regional diversification strategy,” Grech said. “The acquisition would give us a strong position in Albury, Dubbo and surrounding districts and a great base on which to grow into nearby centres.”

The acquisition involves a combination of cash plus A$650,000 in Slater & Gordon shares. However, the agreement is subject to due diligence and unlikely to be completed before March 2010. Meanwhile, the Kenyons acquisition involves a combination of cash plus A$800,000 in Slater & Gordon shares – although part of the cash component will be deferred to September 2010 and September 2011, subject to delivery of agreed performance criteria.