Bath-headquartered regional law firm RWK Goodman is to open a permanent base in Bristol nearly five years after launching a satellite office in the city.
The firm employs more than 570 across its office network, which also includes Swindon, Oxford and London.
It opened a small office in Bristol in 2019 to service a rapidly expanding client base in the city, with the longer-term view of having a full-service base in the area.
At the time the firm was known as Royds Withy King but merged just under two years ago with London practice Goodman Derrick.
It now provides a comprehensive range of legal services from corporate and commercial, clinical negligence and personal injury to family and private client and advises in a number of key sectors.
RWK Goodman’s new Bristol office will be in One Castle Park on Tower Hill, pictured, with the firm describing the move as part of its long-term commitment to the South West region.
The new base is due to open in March and will include new hires as well as members of its teams from other offices. No further details on staffing levels have been announced.
RWK Goodman managing partner Graham Street said: “We are delighted to be opening our new office in Bristol and extending our reach across the South West.
“Bristol is a vibrant city with a thriving economy and we are excited about the opportunities this expansion creates for our people and clients in the South West and beyond.”
RWK Goodman said the move also reflected its success and continued growth in its core practice areas advising individuals and businesses and would facilitate further growth in key sectors including technology & media, banking & financial services, health & social care, retail, hospitality & leisure, and energy & infrastructure.
The firm said the decision to increase its presence in Bristol also aligned with its commitment to low-energy usage and sustainable business practices.
The new office has a target BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, solar PV installation, on-site recycling, Fitwel 2 certification, which demonstrates a positive impact on the health of its occupiers, and a biophilic design, a concept used in the building industry to increase the way occupiers connect to the natural environment.
Some £345,000 was spent on a major refurbishment of the 79,359 sq ft building by previous owner Circle.
Other occupiers include national law firm Irwin Mitchell, recruitment company Heat and retirement wealth planning investment platform James Hay Partnership.
