The Brisbane office of Australian firm Gadens has merged with local firm Bowdens Lawyers.

The firms join forces today (19 November) and will be known as Gadens Lawyers.
Gadens chief executive Kim Christie said that the merger is in keeping with trends among Australian firms. He said that firms are falling into two strategic camps – get big or go niche. Brisbane firms Barwicks Lawyers and Dibbs Barker Gosling will merge at the beginning of December.
Gadens, which specialises in insurance work, was hit hard by the disintegration of HIH Insurance.
The new firm will target three practice areas – litigation, property and construction, and commerce and technology. Christie said growing the commercial side was a priority.