Dickinson Dees

2012 saw Dickinson Dees make progress with its expansion plans, with the firm managing to seal an agreement to merge with Bond Pearce by the end of the calendar year.

The two firms are set to join forces as Bond Dickinson on 1 May 2013 and the combined firm will span eight offices across Aberdeen, Bristol, Leeds, London, Newcastle, Plymouth, Southampton and Tees Valley.

The firm's management strategy, 2020 Vision, was first conceived in 2010, following the firm's decision to exit from the volume business in 2008, selling its D3 Legal unit to Optima Legal and exiting from the family law business in 2010. It was implemented in March 2011 and has seen the firm focus its attention on the corporate and commercial market and high net-worth individuals.

As for the firm's future expansion, Blair considers London an essential focal point to deliver the 2020 Vision. The London office currently has a 5,000 sq ft London office staffed with four partners (including three seconding from Newcastle) and four lawyers. As part of the merger both firms are set to relocate to a large office space in London.