Algernon Sydney Field (22.08.1813 – 31.10.1907), aged 15, became a clerk to Edwin Wilkins Field to serve him in the profession of an attorney at law and solicitor for a period of five years.

Edwin Wilkins Field (12.10.1804 – 30.08.1871) was a descendant of Oliver Cromwell through his grandmother and was Algernon’s brother. He was articled in 1821 to the firm of Taylor & Roscoe solicitors of King’s Bench Walk, Temple.  He was admitted as an attorney and solicitor in 1826.  He considered establishing himself in Warwick, but remained in London and joined his fellow clerk, William Sharpe (1804-1870) to form the firm of Sharpe & Field in Bread Street, Cheapside, London in 1827. One therefore assumes that Algernon trained as an articled clerk at this firm and was subsequently admitted as a solicitor.

Shortly after finishing his articles, Algernon Sydney Field established his solicitors’ practice, including a rights of way practice, at 42 Warwick Street, Leamington Spa.

Soon after, William Overell opened his offices at 33 Warwick Street in the building opposite.

William Thomas (1799-1860) was commissioned by Algernon Sydney Field, solicitor and magistrate, to design “A. S. Field House” at 42 Warwick Street, Royal Leamington Spa, as a home and office. This was William Thomas’ last project in Leamington Spa and remains Field Overell LLP offices to this day.

Algernon Sydney Field eventually moved out of the town centre to live with his growing family at Blackdown House, Lillington, but retained the Warwick Street building for office use as his two sons went on to join him in the family practice.

The four-storey building of our offices at 42 Warwick Street, which is Grade II listed, remains largely as originally built, with much fine woodwork, an elegant façade and beautiful plaster plaques and frieze inside the building.

Algernon was a well-respected member of the community.  Not only was he a solicitor and Clerk to the Kenilworth Justices, but he was also a member of the Lillington Local Board and a major figure in the social and political life of the town. He was also a trustee of Jephson Gardens, a subscriber to the Pump Room Gardens and a member of the Town Commissioners, in addition to his later duties as Clerk of the Peace and Clerk to the County Council.

The beautiful building at 42 Warwick Street provided Algernon with an appropriate family home and an excellent base for his expanding business close to Upper Parade in Leamington Spa.

Both firms at 42 Warwick Street (Field & Sons) and 33 Warwick Street (Overell & Sons / Overell & Swain) were succeeded by their sons and later generations, serving local families and businesses for over 150 years.

During this time, Field & Sons and Overell & Swain developed established reputations and a friendly rivalry while supporting generations of clients.

Field Overell continued to build up its presence in Coventry and relocated its office from Foleshill to Corporation Street in the city centre.

After operating from neighbouring offices on Warwick Street, the partners of Field & Sons and Overell & Swain joined forces to form Field Overell.

The merger allowed the two firms to combine their expertise and meet the growing demand and complex needs of their clients.

Field Overell was granted a Legal Aid Franchise in Civil Litigation, Divorce and Crime following a rigorous audit of its procedures and client service standards. The same criteria are applied to all our work today.  Today, however, the firm no longer undertakes legal aid or criminal work, having chosen to focus instead on core practice areas.

Field Overell bought the practice of Penn & Co Solicitors, a traditional high street practice in Coventry.

Séverine Vincent, current Senior Partner, joined the firm as an assistant family solicitor after qualifying as a solicitor in London in 2005.

Field Overell bought the practice of Richard Lemberger & Co in Leamington Spa, who were mainly dealing with Wills & Probate, residential conveyancing and employment law.

Field Overell became a limited liability partnership “Field Overell LLP”

Field Overell LLP secured the national Law Society’s law management quality mark, Lexcel, for the first time.

Lexcel is the Law Society of England and Wales legal practice quality mark. It recognises excellence in areas such as client care, risk management, compliance and practice management. To retain the accreditation, firms must undergo a rigorous independent annual assessment, demonstrating not only that robust systems are in place but that they are actively used and continually improved.  Field Overell LLP has held the Lexcel accreditation uninterrupted since 2013.

Field Overell LLP secured the CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) accreditation. CQS is a recognised quality standard for SRA-regulated firms in residential conveyancing. It sets out the standards of competence, risk management and client service levels expected of practices. It is also designed to produce benefits for member practices, consumers, clients and industry stakeholders. Field Overell LLP has proudly held the CQS accreditation uninterrupted since 2013.

Séverine Vincent, current senior partner, becomes an equity partner.

Gemma Lowe, partner in the Wills & Probate department, qualified as a solicitor with Field Overell LLP

Séverine Vincent became Senior Partner of the Firm after the previous senior partner retired.