Our History

Over a Century of Serving Local Communities

For over 110 years, Hopkins Solicitors has provided legal support to individuals, families and businesses across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. From our beginnings in Sutton-in-Ashfield in 1913 to our continued expansion across the East Midlands, our history reflects our commitment to trusted legal advice, personal service and the local communities we serve.

1913 – Our Beginnings

The history of Hopkins Solicitors began in 1913 when Elijah Samuel Buxton Hopkin, known as Sam, established his first solicitor’s office in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

Originally from Eastwood, Sam trained at Hunt Dickens Solicitors in Nottingham before gaining further legal experience in London. Returning to Nottinghamshire, he established his practice and later expanded into Mansfield during the 1920s, opening a second office on Leeming Street alongside his eldest son, Raymond, and Robert Bosworth.

Sam was also a founding member of Mansfield Rotary Club and began working for the Mining Union in 1926, establishing strong connections with the local community.

1928 – Waverley House, Mansfield

Around 1928, the growing firm moved from its Sutton-in-Ashfield and Leeming Street premises to Waverley House on Westgate in Mansfield town centre. This historic listed building remains home to a Hopkins Solicitors office today.

As the family business expanded, Sam and his eldest son Raymond were joined by his youngest son Brian, and the practice became known as Hopkin & Sons. Following Sam’s death in 1951, Raymond and Brian continued as partners, with Dennis Tate joining the firm in 1959.

1982 – Eden Court Head Office

With longstanding connections to Mansfield’s mining communities, Hopkins Solicitors continued to grow throughout the twentieth century.

In 1982, the firm opened a larger office at Eden Court in Mansfield to accommodate its expanding team and client base. Eden Court remains the firm’s head office today.

Throughout this period, Hopkins Solicitors built its reputation through personal recommendations, quality legal advice and a strong commitment to client care. These values remain central to the firm’s approach to serving local communities.

1995 – Regent Street, Nottingham

In 1995, Hopkins Solicitors expanded into Nottingham, opening an office on Regent Street, conveniently located within walking distance of the city centre, making legal services more accessible to individuals and businesses in the city.

2017 – Business Deal with Fidler & Pepper

In 2017, Hopkins Solicitors returned to Sutton-in-Ashfield following an agreement with local law firm Fidler & Pepper, which was changing the focus of its legal services.

As part of the agreement, Hopkins took on staff, clients and areas of the business to ensure local people could continue accessing legal support from an established and trusted team.

A temporary office opened at The Hub on Outram Street in Sutton-in-Ashfield, bringing together experienced staff who already had strong relationships with clients and the surrounding community.

2018 – Acquisition of Marchants Solicitors

In 2018, Hopkins Solicitors expanded further through the acquisition of Marchants Solicitors, an established local law firm serving Mansfield and Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Having worked closely together over many years, the two firms shared similar values and a commitment to delivering personal, high-quality legal services. The acquisition helped provide continuity for Marchants’ existing clients while supporting the future of its staff and offices.

The addition of the Kirkby-in-Ashfield office strengthened Hopkins’ presence in the Ashfield community. The office subsequently expanded beyond residential conveyancing to provide a full range of legal services for local individuals, families and businesses.

2019 – Sutton-in-Ashfield

In 2019, Hopkins Solicitors opened its renovated Sutton-in-Ashfield office in the former Old Market Tavern, a landmark building in the heart of the town.

Originally built in 1905 as the Market Hotel, the historic property had stood empty for several years before Hopkins purchased it in 2018. Following six months of renovation, the building was restored to create a welcoming, modern legal office while preserving an important part of Sutton-in-Ashfield’s heritage.

Its central location and spacious facilities provide a convenient setting for clients and staff, reflecting Hopkins’ ongoing investment in the local community.

2023 – Expansion into Heanor

In December 2023, Hopkins Solicitors expanded into Heanor, Derbyshire, through the acquisition of Miles & Cash Solicitors, following the retirement of its Managing Partner, Nigel Chappell.

The acquisition welcomed experienced family law specialists and support staff into Hopkins, further strengthening the firm’s established Children Law and Care team.

Renovations began at the Heanor town-centre office in February 2024, creating a welcoming environment for local clients.

Today, the Heanor office provides a broad range of legal services, including family law, conveyancing, wills and probate, personal injury, civil litigation, employment law, company commercial law and commercial property.

This expansion reflects the firm’s commitment to making professional legal advice accessible to individuals, families and businesses throughout Heanor and the surrounding Derbyshire communities.

2026 – Derby City Centre

In October 2026, Hopkins Solicitors continued its growth across the East Midlands by opening a new office space at CUBO in the heart of Derby City Centre.

This exciting expansion makes it easier for individuals, families and businesses in Derby to access trusted, professional legal advice.

Located in a modern and welcoming working environment, our Derby City Centre office offers clients a convenient place to book appointments and meet face-to-face with our experienced legal team.

It’s all about the community

More than a century after its foundation, Hopkins Solicitors continues to grow while staying true to its local roots. From Mansfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield to Nottingham and Heanor, our focus remains on providing reliable legal support and building long-lasting relationships within the communities we serve.

Our experienced solicitors and legal executives offer advice across a wide range of personal and business legal matters. However, our ambition has never been simply to become the biggest law firm. We aim to be the best at supporting our clients, providing clear advice, professional expertise and a personal approach when it matters most.

How can we help you?

Our team supports individuals, families and businesses with a wide range of legal matters across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Click here to Explore Our Services or Find Your Local Office.