Bristol-headquartered law firm Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV) has continued its growth strategy by taking on a team of 30 commercial lawyers from a firm in Watford.
The corporate and commercial property lawyers – whose specialisms include property litigation, intellectual property (IP), IT and employment – have left Matthew Arnold & Baldwin (MAB) ahead of the firm’s closure following a string of exits by its lawyers over the past two weeks.
The team will continue to be based in Watford in a move which gives VWV a base in the Hertfordshire town and extends its reach north of London.
The office will operate under the VWV brand. VWV also has offices in London and Birmingham.
The deal transferring the lawyers to VWV will complete on January 31 when MAB ceases to operate as a firm. Among those joining VWV is MAB head of corporate Richard Phillips.
VWV managing partner Simon Heald said: “MAB is a well-established legal practice with an excellent reputation for supporting businesses in Watford and the surrounding area including Milton Keynes and throughout the northern Home Counties.
“This merger will bring together complementary strengths from our two organisations and increase the level of support and range of legal services that we are able to offer businesses in Watford and the surrounding area.”
Richard Phillips added: “We have for some time been exploring opportunities which we believe will enhance our business and the ways in which we operate.
“We are very pleased to be joining forces with VWV who will bring additional strength and experience to complement our existing team and enhance our offering to local business and the wider community.”
MAB’s commercial and wealth management practices have been acquired by Hill Dickinson, which has offices in Liverpool, Manchester, London and Sheffield, while global firm Dentons has taken over its banking and finance litigation team comprising 11 partners and 64 fee-earners.
MAB’s clients included Barclays Bank, the BBC, Computacenter, Groupon, Sigma Pharmaceuticals and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Last November VWV expanded its Bristol presence by relocating from Orchard Court, off The Centre, into the landmark Narrow Quay House on Prince Street.
