Weightmans and Mace & Jones agree merger
Law firm Weightmans, which has offices in Birmingham and Leicester, has agreed terms to merge with North West firm Mace & Jones. The deal will create a firm of more than 1,000 staff with a combined fee income of £75m.
Patrick Gaul, managing partner of Weightmans, said: “As the talks with Mace & Jones have progressed it has become increasingly clear that our two firms are very well matched.
“We have similar cultures and values and a shared commitment to maintaining the highest standards in our dealings with our people and clients. The merged firm will be a major national player with strength in depth across every area of its practice.”
The two firms first announced that talks were ongoing in January. The merger will become effective on 1 May.
Gaul added: “There are considerable strategic and practical benefits for clients of both firms. We will enhance the excellent services both firms now provide and create new opportunities to expand those services, offering greater resources and expertise.
“Continuing growth will also create an even more robust and sustainable firm for the future and enable us to meet the challenges ahead in the legal services market.”
Richard Corran, managing partner at Mace & Jones, added that Weightmans’ national reach would also allow it the opportunity to tap into new markets in London and the Midlands, as well as offering a wider range of services to existing clients.
Weightmans has offices in Birmingham, Leicester, Liverpool, London and Manchester and last year reported a turnover of £56.2m. In November 2010, it said it was on target to reach a record £60m turnover after exceeding its half yearly billing target.
Mace & Jones has three offices in the North West – in Liverpool, Manchester and Knutsford – and has a turnover of £12.8m.
Earlier this month Weightmans completed a deal to buy the insurance division of South East rival Vizards Wyeth.
