Our History

2024

Ellisons Solicitors celebrates 260 years of legal excellence

Ellisons was established in Colchester by William Mason 260 years ago.

Throughout 2024, we will be hosting events and fundraisers to mark this historic milestone.

2023

Ellisons Solicitors is certified a Great Place to Work

We were delighted to receive the Great Place to Work Certification™, which recognises employers who create an outstanding employee experience and are committed to creating a positive work culture where employees can thrive and achieve their best. The prestigious award is based entirely on feedback from employees about their experience working at Ellisons.

Read more here.

2022

Ellisons Solicitors converts to an LLP

This simply means that clients are being advised by a firm which has adopted a more modern business structure. Everything else will remain the same, and we will continue to trade as Ellisons Solicitors.

Read more here.

2022

Ellisons Solicitors win Education in Business Award

At the prestigious Suffolk Business Awards, the Ellisons Solicitors team were thrilled to be presented with the Education in Business Award. The award celebrates businesses that are committed to the development of their current and potential employees.

Read more here.

2020

Ellisons Solicitors incorporating Blocks

We merged with Ipswich-based law firm, Blocks Solicitors.

Established in 1890, Blocks Solicitors is one of the leading law firms in Suffolk, further strengthening our expertise in a range of service offerings as well as gaining a second office in the town centre.

Read more here.

2019

Ellisons Solicitors incorporating Gross & Co.

We merged with Bury St Edmunds-based firm Gross & Co.

Established in 1848, Gross & Co. will bring a high level of complementary expertise and 25 additional staff into the Ellisons ‘fold’.  With its reputation for immigration and charity law, Gross & Co. will help to bolster our offering nationally and internationally.

Read more here.

2018

We opened our third office in Colchester town centre

The new ‘The Bath House’ building is located on the former Le Cateau Barracks site, adjacent to Butt Road and provides 4,000 sq ft of modern office space for our Insurance Litigation Department.

Read more here.

2018

10 years of business in Clacton-on-Sea

Since merging with PTL Solicitors in 2008 we celebrated our 10th anniversary.

2018

New office in Chelmsford city centre

We announced the opening of our sixth office in Chelmsford.

Read more here.

 

 

 

 

2014

Launch of Ellisons Financial Planning

Ellisons Financial Planning was launched as a joint venture between Ellisons Solicitors and Matthew Douglas Limited.

2014

Ellisons joined Alliott Global Alliance, an international alliance of independent professional firms

Ellisons joined the independent alliance of professional firms, to strengthen our offering to our clients,  providing international thinking to our local presence and also to connect with some of the best like-minded individuals across the world.

2014

The firm opens its first office in Ipswich

Located at Wherstead Park, the firm opened its doors in Ipswich.

 

 

 

 

2014

The firm celebrated 250 years

Ellisons was established in Colchester by William Mason 250 years ago.

Ellisons celebrated this milestone throughout 2014 with many celebrations taking place; with clients, contacts and staff.  We marked the end of a fantastic year of celebrations by planting 250 trees at the Essex Wildlife Trust.

2009

Marshall Legal and Ellisons merger

Ellisons merged with Marshall Legal in Colchester, reinforcing the position of Ellisons as one of the most prominent providers of legal services in the region.

The merger decision came just a year after the firm attracted PTL Solicitors to unite their respective practices.

Read more here.

 

 

 

2008

Wanham Longhurst

The firm acquired the business of Wanham Longhurst.

2008

Plummer Tilsley Logan

Ellisons merged with PTL Solicitors. The merged Firm, which operates under the name of Ellisons Solicitors, now has 17 Partners and a total staff of 122.

As a result of the merger, Ellisons has strengthened its position as one of the most prominent providers of legal services in Essex.

Read more here.

 

 

 

 

2006

Peter Leaman and Co

The firm acquired the business of Peter Leaman and Co.

2002

Ellisons and incorporated Lansley and Co

The firm changed its name to Ellisons and incorporated Lansley and Co

1994

Incorporated Darley Tudor

The firm incorporated Darley Tudor based in Frinton, creating the Frinton-on-Sea office.

1937

Ellison and Co

In 1937, John Aylmer Fitz-Harninge Morton and David Pelham Papillon joined the firm and upon their arrival it became known as Ellison & Co. Oborne Ellison was still working at the firm, and indeed did so until well into his early 80s.

1888

Oborne James Ellison and Cecil Howard Morten

Mr Oborne James Ellison joined the firm which led to the firm changing its name once again to Howard Ellison & Morten.

1884

Howard and Son

Howard Keeling and Inglis.

1837

Mason Keeling and Howard

Mason Keeling and Howard.

1827

Mason Son and Keeling

By 1827 the firm had changed its name to Mason Son & Keeling with the partners as William Mason, William Mason Junior and Frederick Page Keeling.

1764

Mason & Son

Ellisons are able to trace the roots of the firm back to one William Mason (born in 1738), a humble Colchester man who started his career as a scrivener (copyist), acting as a clerk to a Samual Ennew.