Eversheds negotiates next merger

Leading UK law firm Eversheds is in merger talks with City practice Waltons & Morse a year after its last merger.

Peter Scott, managing partner at Eversheds, and John Rothwell senior partner at Waltons & Morse confirm they are in the process of discussing the benefits of bringing together their resources and the international and regional strengths.

A merger would add 20 partners to Eversheds' already 268-strong national team. Waltons is well known in shipping and insurance. However, it is believed its shipping team may not move with the merger.

Waltons' main client base consists of Lloyd's of London and overseas insurance companies, shipping and salvage companies and, recently, the electricity industry and commercial radio.

Eversheds' last merger was in January 1995 with City firm Jaques & Lewis. The merger made Eversheds the second largest firm in the country.