Blake Morgan is the product of a 2014 merger between Blake Lapthorn and Morgan Cole.

Blake Lapthorn had long been one of the most recognised names in the south of England, and had expanded aggressively across that region, growing from its Thames Valley home into London and Southampton, and then Portsmouth in 2001 via a merger with insolvency specialists Sherwin Oliver. Next it joined forced with one of Oxford’s best-known firms, Linnells, in 2003, followed by Winchester’s White & Bowker and London’s Tarlo Lyons in 2006.

Morgan Cole, meanwhile, was formed in 1998 through the merger of Morgan Bruce of Wales and Thames Valley firm Cole & Cole. A rocky start saw London and Croyden offices closed early on; however, the firm stabilised after that and built on a base of a large public sector client base and plenty of insurance work.

Following the merger which created Blake Morgan, another followed, with London-based Piper Smith Watton in 2015. Despite all the various tie-ups the nature of the firm has not substantially changed. It remains a larger version of what it always has been: a southern firm that acts for a broad range of companies, public sector clients and private individuals.