2 November 2004 LAWFUEL – Law, law firm, attorney, legal news The partners of Maclay Murray & Spens and the City Law Partnership announced today that the two firms will merge with effect from 1st November 2004.
The merged firm will trade as Maclay Murray & Spens but will also use the familiar City Law name, and creates a significant corporate presence in London, particularly in financial services. The merger will result in a combined London team of 120 – including 16 partners.
The transaction consolidates the position of the enlarged firm as a high quality, full-service, independent commercial legal firm, offering solutions and advice to clients throughout the UK and beyond. As well as markedly augmenting Maclay’s corporate team in London, the merger underpins Maclay’s commitment to an ambitious growth strategy which has now seen it become Scotland’s largest practice in terms of turnover, partners and overall staff numbers.
Magnus Swanson, chief executive, Maclay Murray & Spens, said:
“There is an excellent synergy between Maclays and the City Law Partnership and we are confident the two practices will form a dynamic and cohesive partnership to the benefit of both clients and employees. This latest merger marks another important milestone in positioning Maclays as a leading UK-based legal firm, with the breadth and depth of expertise to comprehensively serve an increasingly global market. Our growth strategy for both Scotland and London will see us continue to seek selective opportunities to grow the firm further through merger and lateral hires.”
Philip Skerrett, Senior Partner at The City Law Partnership said:
“After 10 years as an independent boutique during which we have had countless approaches, Maclays have attracted us by providing strength and depth but with the flexibility to maintain our distinctive style. Our financial services team will be considerably strengthened with access to greater resources and expertise, but without increasing costs to clients. Both firms have a similar dynamic culture and we are looking forward to forging ahead in the London market with Maclays.”
Both firms see opportunities for further growth in the highly specialist financial services sector. Maclays practice was recently enhanced by the appointment of partner, Gerry Kerr, who boasts an impressive international track record in both private practice and industry. As part of the move Maclays will also acquire the regulatory and company secretarial companies established by City Law, Regulatory Solutions Limited and Secretarial Solutions Limited.
For further information, please contact:
David Sanders Maclay Murray & Spens – 0131 271 4154
Mike Lord Broadgate – 020 7726 6111
Philip Skerrett City Law Partnership – 020 7248 9529