Nelsons announces merger with Derby practice Gadsbys

East Midlands firm Nelsons is merging for the second time this year - with Derby-based practice Gadsbys.

The merger with the six partner commercial property practice will take effect on 1 October and will bring the partner count to 42.

Two months ago Nelsons merged with Derby firm Alfred Sevier & Son, which specialises in personal injury work (The Lawyer, 5 April).

Tim Hastings, managing partner of Nelsons, says a decision has not yet been made on whether Gadsbys' identity will be retained post-merger.

Commenting on the future expansion, Hastings says: "We want to continue to extend our geographical ambit at some time, but to retain a strong broad-based practice.

"As far as Derby is concerned, we are not going to continue looking. But we will expand across the region, and in the initial shorter term, our strategy is to focus on the East Midlands."

Gadsbys partner Stephen Irish says Gadsbys' office will become Nelsons' Derby headquarters.

Although Gadsbys will keep its name until the merger, Irish says his practice will consider re-branding, adding: "It's a question of goodwill."