Leamington Spa firm Alsters has taken over Coventry firm Cooksey Spencer as it bids to become a major player in the Midlands.
Cooksey Spencer's two partners, Peter Law and Rachel Eaton, will become consultants at Alsters and the remaining 17 staff will also transfer to the firm.
Following the takeover Alsters will have eight partners and 57 other staff.
It was the first firm in the country to be awarded a mental health legal aid franchise and also has a general legal aid franchise.
The firm undertakes a large amount of work in the Coventry courts and had been looking to set up in the city for some time.
The disappearance of the Cooksey Spencer name after over 60 years in Coventry highlights the difficult climate currently faced by small high-street firms.
Alsters managing partner Stephen Swindle said: “We see the future of the legal profession being dominated by larger practices able to provide the specialist services which are being increasingly demanded not only by private clients and businesses but also by Government institutions such as the Legal Aid Board.”
He added: “The acquisition is a natural progression in the development of Alsters in becoming a regional rather than local law firm.”
