Manchester Bennett; Newman, Olson & Kerr combine practices

(February 5, 2014, Youngstown, Ohio) The Youngstown law firms of Manchester, Bennett, Powers & Ullman and Newman, Olson & Kerr have combined their practices effective February 1, 2014. The merged firms are now practicing under the name of Manchester, Newman & Bennett.

Atty. Stephen Bolton, president of the former Manchester Bennett firm, emphasizes that this integration of legal expertise and complementary practice strengths will greatly benefit clients. “This is a great opportunity. Both firms are well-known for delivering an exceptionally high level of legal service in a very efficient manner,” he states. “Our approaches are very similar, especially on the business side.”

The combined firm offers practices in such key areas as business, labor & employment, banking, healthcare, real estate, oil & gas, litigation and bankruptcy.

Both firms have maintained their respective offices in downtown Youngstown since their founding – Manchester, Bennett, Powers & Ullman in 1872, and Newman, Olson & Kerr in the 1930s. Staying downtown was important to both firms says Atty. E. Carroll “Ted” Thornton, Jr., President of the former Newman, Olson & Kerr firm. “Early in the discussions it was clear that both parties were committed to this city,” Thornton remarks. “And with clients throughout Northeast Ohio we wanted to maintain a centralized location.”

Newman, Olson & Kerr, formerly located in the First National Bank Building on Central Square in Youngstown, will relocate to Manchester Bennett’s present offices in The Commerce Building downtown. Additionally, on March 1st, the new firm will open an office in Canfield at 3635 Boardman-Canfield Rd. Newman, Olson & Kerr’s current office on Broad St. in Canfield will remain open until that time.

The phone numbers for the Youngstown office of Manchester, Newman & Bennett are 330-743-1171 and 330-747-4404. The Canfield office number is 330-533-6821.