Manches lusts after Halliwells’ best bits
Manches is hoping to acquire the most profitable parts of Halliwells’ business despite abandoning merger talks with the firm.
Ian Austin
Manches’ senior management wrote to staff last week informing them that the firm’s equity partners had examined but rejected the possibility of a merger.
It is understood that Manches will continue its discussions with Halliwells with a view to acquiring some elements of the firm. A meeting between the firms is scheduled for this week.
Sources close to Manches said the family practice in particular refused the prospect of a merger.
A Manches source said: “There are massive cultural differences. They’re based in Manchester, we have an office in Oxford. They have a family team in Liverpool, but it isn’t very big. The family practice isn’t at all keen.”
One Manches partner said: “I’m never going to be a Halliwells partner nor will anyone in my team.”
Meanwhile, Halliwells managing partner Ian Austin has stepped down as part of a management rejig that has seen him take up the newly-created post of executive chairman. Liverpool-based corporate partner Jonathan Brown has become managing partner.
In the executive chairman role, Austin will focus on developing strategic and commercial objectives. As managing partner Brown will implement strategy and manage operations and budgets.
Readers' comments (4)
Anonymous | 22-Sep-2009 5:01 pm
"Manches lusts after Halliwells best bits" - I must say, I know Halliwells has had some negative press recently, but please.....Manches taking its best bits?!! Err, I don't see how that could happen.
Halliwells needs to set its merger sights higher - to my mind a Halliwells / Denton Wilde Sapte merger would create a force to be reakoned with......
ps recall where you heard that one first!
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sage | 22-Sep-2009 9:27 pm
I will recall that I heard it first from someone who is anonymous. If you want to be credited with something, you have to put your name to it.
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Carl Conrad | 26-Sep-2009 7:30 am
Please! A couple of minor celebrity divorces has given Manches a false sense of their own importance. They are an "also ran" in the London market. Even their fabled divorce team is weakened. Compare the PEP figures and why would anyone want to join Manches? Halliwells is in a league aove them. Yes - it has had problems: who hasn't. But they are far more attractive than a regional firm with an office in Oxford, which is hardly the centre of the legal universe.
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Anonymous | 4-Oct-2009 3:36 pm
if the league system is based on debt levels then Halliwells are indeed in a different league.
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