Berrymans merges with Badhams

Berrymans Lace Mawer is merging with insurance specialist Badhams Thompson.London-based

Badhams is the second firm Berrymans has approached within amonth after announcing a

merger with niche Newcastle firm Linsley &Mortimer (The Lawyer, 21 June). The merger is

due to be announced in thenext few weeks.Both firms have been involved in talks since

1990. But following a recentspate of legal panel cuts from major insurance companies in

the UK,Berrymans and Badhams have decided to consolidate their practices.Badhams has 10

partners. The firm shares leading insurance clients Royaland Sun Alliance and CGU.A

merger with Badhams, which has offices in both central London andCroydon, would also

boost Berrymans' London practice which has 22 partners.Berrymans has also been in secret

merger talks with Davies Arnold Cooper(The Lawyer, July 12), which also advises major

insurers.see analysis page 10-11.