A new commercial law firm, SA Law, has been launched following a breakaway of regional firm Pictons’ former St Albans office.

Following a restructuring, the 70-strong branch left Pictons and launched the new limited-liability partnership on 1 June.

SA Law has seven commercial departments in banking, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, employment, media and technology and corporate recovery and insolvency, as well as a team of private client lawyers.

Former commercial partner turned managing partner Steve Ryan told The Lawyer: “We grew a strong commercial team over the years at Pictons and, as the legal market becomes more diverse, we wish to concentrate on a dedicated service for businesses. SA Law aims to build on the client base the commercial team at Pictons had.”

Funding for the new firm has been provided by the sector specialist team in commercial banking at Royal Bank of Scotland.

Pictons managing partner Roger Talbot said: “As part of a wider restructuring, we’ve parted on amicable terms. Most of the partners based in our former St Albans office are now partners at SA Law. Pictons will offer a wider spread of work, but we’re disposing of our criminal practice to Healey Colbon, made up of ex-Pictons partners.”

Pictons will continue to operate offices in Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes and Luton.