The partners of Addleshaw Goddard and Scottish firm HBJ Gateley are in discussions over combining forces.
A decision is expected in the coming weeks over whether the merger will be approved. Plans have been made for the business, people and partners of HBJ Gateley to transfer to Addleshaw Goddard. A combined firm would have 11 offices, more than 230 partners, more than 1,100 lawyers, and a combined fee income of around £224m, ranking 15th by UK income.
In terms of real estate, the move would unite two strong teams. Addleshaw Goddard is a second-tier firm for commercial property (London) in the UK Legal 500, with HBJ Gateley also ranked second tier for Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The proposed transaction – which follows just over a month after the partners of CMS UK, Nabarro and Olswang announced plans to combine their firms and create a global powerhouse – is driven by a desire to improve client and sector offerings, and is subject to approval by both partnerships.
John Joyce, managing partner of Addleshaw Goddard, said: “A combination would deliver on both firms’ aspirations for improved client and sector offerings across the whole of Great Britain. We are culturally aligned and bringing both businesses together will enhance each firm’s bench strength, give greater flexibility and provide a more robust platform from which to establish stronger market positions across core practice areas and in the financial services and real estate sectors in particular.”
Malcolm McPherson, senior partner at HBJ Gateley, added: “There is a clear and compelling rationale behind this proposal. Clients are increasingly demanding true strength in depth across a range of core specialist disciplines and our exploratory talks progressed very quickly as the complementary nature of our teams and geographical presence became apparent. A strong cultural fit is at the heart of all successful legal deals and both firms share a pragmatic, commercial approach to client service. Given the partner voting process, we’re taking nothing for granted but are quietly excited about the potential for creating something rather special, given our strongly aligned sector focus and specific critical mass in financial services and real estate.”
Addleshaw Goddard has offices in London, Leeds, Manchester, Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Hong Kong and Singapore, while HBJ Gateley has offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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