‘We’re taking proximate steps’: DAC doubles up in Madrid with 20-lawyer hire

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‘We’re taking proximate steps’: DAC doubles up in Madrid with 20-lawyer hire

DAC Beachcroft is looking for further opportunities in Europe and South America after doubling the size of its Madrid office by combining with a three-partner insurance boutique.

The firm today (21 January) took on 20-lawyer outfit Asjusa, which focuses on professional liability and insurance in the healthcare sector, led by partners Eduardo Asensi Pallarés and Iñigo Cid-Luna Clares. The third partner joining is Julio Albi. Continue reading “‘We’re taking proximate steps’: DAC doubles up in Madrid with 20-lawyer hire”

‘Developing market share’: Weightmans opens shop in Newcastle through Watson Burton acquisition

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‘Developing market share’: Weightmans opens shop in Newcastle through Watson Burton acquisition

National player Weightmans has expanded into North East England after acquiring Newcastle-based firm Watson Burton, adding nine partners to the firm’s bench.

In total, 64 employees will join Weightmans’ ranks, with Watson Burton having offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London. Though the cost of the acquisition was not disclosed, Watson Burton turned over £6.9m in the last financial year. Continue reading “‘Developing market share’: Weightmans opens shop in Newcastle through Watson Burton acquisition”

Dentons double merger adds 300 lawyers to create ‘first truly national US law firm’

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Dentons double merger adds 300 lawyers to create ‘first truly national US law firm’

Dentons will have more than 1,000 lawyers across 33 US markets following the latest in a long line of tie-ups announced since the start of the summer.

After expanding in South America, Asia Pacific and Africa through ten mergers since July, the globetrotting firm has announced it is to combine with 175-lawyer Midwest firm Bingham Greenebaum and 140-strong Pennsylvania-bred Cohen & Grigsby. Continue reading “Dentons double merger adds 300 lawyers to create ‘first truly national US law firm’”

‘A real competitor’: Kingsley Napley strengthens employment practice with Archon Solicitors acquisition

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‘A real competitor’: Kingsley Napley strengthens employment practice with Archon Solicitors acquisition

Kingsley Napley has acquired Archon Solicitors to create a combined employment practice of seven partners and 11 associates.

Corinne Aldridge, managing partner of City employment firm Archon, has been appointed as the new head of Kingsley Napley’s employment team. The Archon team will move into Kingsley Napley’s Farringdon offices on 30 September and will no longer operate under the Archon name. Continue reading “‘A real competitor’: Kingsley Napley strengthens employment practice with Archon Solicitors acquisition”

Dentons makes it five mergers in a month with Argentina and Uruguay tie-ups

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Dentons makes it five mergers in a month with Argentina and Uruguay tie-ups

Dentons has capped off an expansive summer, even by its own standards, announcing it is to enter Argentina and Uruguay through its fourth and fifth combinations respectively in just over a month.

The 10,000-lawyer firm announced today (4 September) it will add another 80 to its ranks by absorbing Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena in Buenos Aires and Jiménez de Aréchaga, Viana & Brause in Montevideo. Continue reading “Dentons makes it five mergers in a month with Argentina and Uruguay tie-ups”

The deal is off: A&O and O’Melveny call an end to transatlantic merger talks

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The deal is off: A&O and O’Melveny call an end to transatlantic merger talks

Allen & Overy has conceded the ‘compelling synergies’ between it and O’Melveny & Myers were not quite enough to seal a long sought-after tie-up, having today (2 September) said they were calling it a day on merger talks.

The news comes after months of market speculation since a possible merger between the Magic Circle giant and the Los Angeles-bred firm first emerged in spring 2018. Continue reading “The deal is off: A&O and O’Melveny call an end to transatlantic merger talks”

DWF makes first post-IPO splash with £3m Warsaw office acquisition

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DWF makes first post-IPO splash with £3m Warsaw office acquisition

DWF is expanding into Poland with the £3m acquisition of K&L Gates’ 11-partner Warsaw office, its first investment since going public in March.

The move, expected to complete later this month, will see 45 lawyers and 31 support staff join DWF alongside the 11 partners in the firm’s first Poland office and seventh in continental Europe. K&L Gates Warsaw managing partner Michal Pawlowski will lead the office, which is expected to generate about £7m in revenue for the year to 30 April 2020. Continue reading “DWF makes first post-IPO splash with £3m Warsaw office acquisition”

Ince & Co administrator reveals partners had ‘no appetite’ to rescue failing firm with £8.5m cash injection

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Ince & Co administrator reveals partners had ‘no appetite’ to rescue failing firm with £8.5m cash injection

Ince & Co partners ruled out a £8.5m capital injection that may have saved the firm from financial failure, according to a report from administrators Quantuma.

At a meeting in October 2018, Ince partners were informed that if a sale to a third party could not be hastily arranged, partners would have to agree to a three-year lock in and contribute at least £8.5m to rescue the firm. Continue reading “Ince & Co administrator reveals partners had ‘no appetite’ to rescue failing firm with £8.5m cash injection”

‘Too far apart’: Ashfords and Boyes Turner abandon £60m merger talks

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‘Too far apart’: Ashfords and Boyes Turner abandon £60m merger talks

Southern English law firms Ashfords and Boyes Turner have ditched their proposed merger which was set to go live in May after citing ‘structural differences.’

The firms were deep into merger talks that started in early 2017, with south west-based Ashfords having been eager to complete a tie-up with another southern outfit for some time. Ashfords had been the senior party throughout the talks, with the merged firm set to trade under the Exeter outfit’s name and brand. Continue reading “‘Too far apart’: Ashfords and Boyes Turner abandon £60m merger talks”

‘Scale and investment capability’: Ashfords and Boyes Turner merger to create £60m southern force

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‘Scale and investment capability’: Ashfords and Boyes Turner merger to create £60m southern force

South west-based Ashfords and Thames Valley firm Boyes Turner are primed to merge, creating a 100 partner-strong £60m southern law firm.

The merger will go live on 1 May 2019, subject to due diligence and legal agreements, while initial talks taking place in early 2017. The new firm will have a total of 700 employees and seven offices, with scale, future investment opportunities and client wins the cited motivations for the move. Continue reading “‘Scale and investment capability’: Ashfords and Boyes Turner merger to create £60m southern force”