As award-winning law firm Leo Abse & Cohen prepares to open its doors in Newport for the first time, the business talks to its managing partner, Ian Hopkins, to find out what attracted the firm to Wales' newest city.

"Our aim is to become the leading full-service law firm for South Wales, and the opening of our Newport office takes us one step closer to achieving that goal," he said.

"With offices already established in Cardiff and Swansea, Newport was very much a natural progression for us as part of our expansion programme. We are now well positioned to serve the whole of South Wales.

"Newport is undergoing a major transformation. We pride ourselves on being a modern, forward-thinking law firm and as a result we always want to be where the action is. Newport is fast becoming a hub of activity and we are very excited about our move into the city.

"We are based on High Street, in the heart of the city. "The office will offer a large range of services to individuals and businesses in Newport, including a claimant personal injury practice, a private client department, incorporating wills and estates, residential conveyancing and family law, and clinical negligence. "There will also be a commercial team based at the office to work with SMEs and larger companies in the city on issues including commercial property, company commercial, employment and dispute resolution.

"Covering five floors, our Newport office also offers plenty of scope for further expansion. There will be ten full-time solicitors based at the office, including two equity partners who live locally, giving a total of 17 members of staff.

"We opened our Swansea office in 2000 and had a tremendous response and I think we can expect the same in Newport. We already have a strong client base in the city and this move will make it even easier for us to visit our clients in the area and for them to visit us when they need to.

"We are very excited about becoming a part of this up-and-coming city." Leo Abse & Cohen will open its office at 16-17 High Street, Newport, in March 2006.