Insider Media Limited

FBC Manby Bowdler has merged with a specialist corporate legal practice. The law firm – one of the West Midlands’ biggest – has merged with Wolverhampton-based David Hughes Legal. James Sage, partner and head of corporate at FBC Manby Bowdler, told Insider that the move was “a positive one for all concerned”.

Established by senior corporate finance lawyer David Hughes in 2002, David Hughes Legal advised UK and foreign-owned private companies on acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, MBOs and other corporate and commercial transactions.

Following the merger, Hughes remains as a consultant with FBC Manby Bowdler.

Hughes previously worked in the capital for seven years with leading London law firms Slaughter and May and Nabarro Nathanson. He then spent 15 years as a corporate partner with Pinsent Masons in Birmingham.

Sage said: “Having worked alongside David for several successful years, we jumped at the opportunity to merge his practice into ours and to work even more closely with him.”

He added that, as one of the region’s largest law firms, FBC Manby Bowdler was often asked to merge with some of the West Midlands’ smaller law firms.

“We are often asked by two- to five- person practices to merge. And while I wouldn’t discount any future acquisitions, we’re not pursuing them at the moment. We wouldn’t grow for the sake of it – it has to be a profitable move.”

Hughes said: “I am delighted, as this deal secures the continuing resources of both myself and FBC Manby Bowdler for my clients.”

FBC Manby Bowdler has 37 partners. The firm has offices in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Telford, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth.

The sum of the deal was not disclosed.