DWF has absorbed an Australian law firm to expand its Asia-Pacific presence, yet another acquisition in a global expansion effort that has seen openings to bolster its international network. The publicly-listed firm has opened its doors to a 16-strong team that includes eight lawyers from McDonald Johnson Lawyers, a legal outfit based in Newcastle, a city […]
National firm Weightmans has acquired a regional player in the North of England, in a move that will enable it to set up shop in Newcastle for the first time. Weightmans has bought Watson Burton, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London. The deal went live today and sees Weightmans take on 64 new […]
Norway’s Schjødt and Sweden’s Hamilton have merged to create a €108m firm, in what is one of the first Norwegian-Swedish tie-ups. Following a partnership vote this week, Schjødt will commence a full integration with Hamilton. The combined firm’s revenue will be around €108.4m; in 2018, Schjødt’s revenue was €87.4m while Hamilton’s was €21m. The firms […]
Kingsley Napley has acquired an employment boutique, as the criminal defence specialists seek to build out its employment practice in its first bolt-on deal since the mid-90s. Archon Solicitors will join Kingsley Napley’s offices and cease to operate as an independent firm at the end of September. This merger comes on the back of a […]
After over a year of discussions between the pair, Allen & Overy and O’Melveny & Myers have called off their proposed merger. In a joint statement, the firms said: “Allen & Overy and O’Melveny & Myers have held discussions about a possible combination and, despite agreeing that there were some compelling synergies between us and […]
As merger negotiations between Allen & Overy (A&O) and US firm O’Melveny & Myers drag on, tensions have arisen over the branding of the combined firm, The Lawyer understands. In particular, one of the options considered for the new name triggered a negative reaction from O’Melveny. A&O is understood to have pitched a tentative A&O’, […]
Penningtons Manches is to merge with London shipping specialist Thomas Cooper to create a £90m firm, the latest development in ongoing mid-tier consolidation. The merger is due to go live on 31 June and the combined firm will be known as Penningtons Manches Cooper. Thomas Cooper managing partner Tim Kelleher will join the management board […]
The largest merger in the Italian legal market in over 30 years started out in the tiniest possible way. A casual conversation between Giuseppe Lombardi, founder of litigation boutique Lombardi e Associati, and Sergio Erede, one of the three lawyers who twenty years ago founded corporate powerhouse BonelliErede alongside Aurelio Pappalardo and the late Franco […]
BonelliErede’s potential merger with a litigation-focused firm has met a stumbling block, The Lawyer understands, with one of the target’s offices eyeing a move away to another Italian powerhouse. As discussions between BonelliErede and local law firm Lombardi Segni continue, sources with knowledge of the negotiations said corporate partner Antonio Segni and his Rome-based team are understood […]
BonelliErede is in discussions with local law firm Lombardi Segni, which could result in the first merger in the Italian market for more than three years.
Gordon Dadds and Ince & Co have agreed to a £110m tie-up, in a move that will create the UK’s largest listed law firm by revenue. It was announced on the London Stock Exchange this morning that Aim-listed Gordon Dadds has agreed terms to acquire Ince, including its international LLP. The new firm will be […]
In a move that will further open up the lower mid-market, South East firm Cripps is to significantly expand its London presence through a merger with £11.6m property and private wealth-focused Pemberton Greenish – a deal that will see it overtake regional stalwarts such as Walker Morris and Foot Anstey. The December deal will create […]
