Two of the West’s leading law firms, Harrison Clark and Rickerbys, have announced plans to merge, marking a further consolidation of the regional legal market.
The firms have signed heads of agreement on the move, which, with continued growth, is expected to put the combined operation among the UK’s Top 100 largest law firms. The merged firm, which will trade as Harrison Clark Rickerbys, will be the largest operating across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire by a considerable margin.
Harrison Clark has a total of 220 staff and partners based in offices in Worcester, Cheltenham, Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, as well as serviced offices in central London and Birmingham.
Rickerbys, with around 100 staff and 19 partners, has bases in Cheltenham and Reading, from where it covers the Thames Valley.
The planned merger is the latest in a spate of similar moves by regional law firms and will allow the two to widen their scope and pursue larger clients in a challenging market.
It is anticipated that the merger will be completed by the end of March. It follows recent similar moves by a number of West firms including Bristol's Bond Pearce, which is merging with Newcastle-based Dickinson Dees to create a UK Top 30 firm. South West law firm Ashfords, which has offices in Bristol and Exeter, merged with London’s Rochman Landau last February.
Rickerbys managing partner Anne Compton said: “By joining forces we will create a firm that will offer a depth of experience and variety of expertise to our clients that will be second to none in the region. The plan is to continue to grow the practice and we should, in the short term, easily reach the target of becoming a Top 100 law firm in the UK.”
“Both firms have strong private client and commercial practices and we intend to build upon and grow all our specialist areas making this a prestigious firm which will be able to retain and attract the best and brightest staff at all levels.”
Jon Whitbread, head of business services at Harrison Clark’s Cheltenham office said, “We are delighted to complete this merger which will see the combined firm increasing turnover to £20m, and positioning the business as a formidable player in the region. The resulting strengthened capabilities provide valuable added breadth and depth to the expertise of both firms and will improve our ability to provide a truly outstanding service to our clients.”
Both firms are Lexcel accredited, the Law Society’s quality mark, and are recognised by the leading independent legal directories, Chambers and Partners, and Legal 500, for the excellence of their work.
Harrison Clark managing partner Rod Thomas added: “We have known and respected Rickerbys for many years. The breadth of services which will be available through our offices and the quality of legal expertise within the firm will be unparalleled within the region and beyond.”
Anne Compton added: “In Harrison Clark we believe we have found an excellent fit, in both business and cultural terms. There is great synergy in the areas in which we operate – both in our business services and private client offerings. This provides a fantastic platform for the combined firm to go from strength to strength and build upon the excellent reputation which both firms have for outstanding advice and client service.”
Pictured below: Rod Thomas of Harrison Clark and Anne Compton
