SGH Martineau and Shakespeares in merger talks

TWO of Birmingham’s best known law firms, SGH Martineau and Shakespeares, are in merger talks.

A combined Shakespeares and SGH Martineau offering would create a top 50 UK firm, with a fee income of more than £75m and approximately 900 members of staff, including 150 partners.

SGH Martineau suggests each firm excels in distinct sectors with little overlap, making a neat fit between the two.

“There is real synergy in the two firms and an expectation that prospects and clients across the UK and globally will find any merged firm a compelling offering,” it said.

Andy Raynor, CEO of Shakespeares and Emma Shipp, managing partner of SGH Martineau, said in a joint statement: “Our firms only contemplate mergers where we believe that there may be significant benefit for our clients, our sectors, our people and our community.

“We’re in the process of confirming the benefits that a combination may bring and our working relationships to date have been friendly, positive and strong, demonstrating a shared sense of values.”

Shakespeares provides legal services for businesses, public sector organisations and private clients across the UK.

The firm operates from seven offices spanning the West and East Midlands and the Home Counties and is located in Birmingham, Leicester (City Centre and Meridian Business Park), Nottingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, Solihull and Milton Keynes.

Its central Birmingham office is in Temple Street 

Shakespeares recorded a turnover of £50min 2013-14, up 69% from £29.6m in 2011-12.

The firm’s specialist legal services include: litigation, commercial services, employment, property and construction, personal injury and high net worth private clients. The firm also has specialist sector teams covering social housing, logistics, healthcare, technology & telecoms, banking, insurance, manufacturing and retail.

SGH Martineau is a full-service corporate commercial law firm operating from offices in Birmingham, London, Birmingham and Brussels.

Its Birmingham office is at No1 Colmore Square. 

The firm has 49 partners, more than 130 other lawyers and a similar number of support staff.

It has particular expertise in sectors including energy, education, banking & financial services, investment funds, leisure & retail and industry & manufacturing.

 

 

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