Thring Townsend hooks up with SW1 boutique

Acquisitive South West firm Thring Townsend has secured its entry into the London market by striking a merger agreement with Westminster-based Lee & Pembertons.

The London private client-focused firm, founded in 1775, will hang on to its name in the deal, which was signed last Friday (27 July). The new firm will be called Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons.

Thring Townsend managing partner Thomas Sheppard said his firm's strategy had always been to have balanced private client and commercial practices, both of which will benefit from the presence of a strong specialist agriculture team.

Thring Townsend, which acquired the Bristol office of Laytons in December 2005, was the 20th-largest firm in The Lawyer Rising 50 last year, with a revenue of £13.9m. Its most recent financial year saw it post a turnover of £15.2m.

The merger should see the enlarged firm enter The Lawyer's top 100 next year.