Cobbetts merges with Fox Brooks Marshall

Acqusitive Northern firm Cobbetts has taken over niche Manchester firm Fox Brooks Marshall and hired a further two partners from national firms.

Cobbetts has merged with mining firm Fox Brooks, although only one of its 10 partners, managing partner Andrew Wright, is joining the firm’s equity. Two of the remainder are joining as fixed-share partners, two as salaried partners, two as consultants and three as associates.

The firm has also hired Hammonds Manchester property partner Karen Brooks and DLA employment partner Jeremy Emmett.

Cobbetts, which is headquartered in Manchester, is also finalising merger negotiations with Birmingham firm Lee Crowder. The firm effected another merger, with Leeds-based Read Hind Stewart, in May 2002.

According to Cobbetts managing partner Michael Shaw, the firm’s six-month financial results are likely to show an increase in turnover of nearly 20 per cent on the same period in 2002.

“It’s definitely in the high teens, so we should be on target for a 20 per cent revenue rise at year end,” said Shaw.

Last year Cobbetts posted an annual turnover of £26m and average profits per equity partner of £201,000, according to The Lawyer 100.