Merger creating £224m-turnover law firm completes
The merger between Addleshaw Goddard ad Scottish practice HBJ has completed, six months after partners agreed “overwhelmingly” to join the firms.
Addleshaw Goddard, which has offices in Leeds and Manchester, said the acquisition would allow further growth opportunities on both sides of the Anglo-Scottish border.
The merger creates a £224m turnover law firm with more than 240 partners and 1,100 lawyers.
The enlarged firm has secured new work from existing clients in recent weeks including that of pharmaceuticals business Celesio, securing its Scottish real estate business.
The successful team was led by Edinburgh-based real estate partner, Miles Ede, and Leeds-based Simon Kamstra, a senior litigation partner and relationship partner for Celesio, whose brand portfolio includes LloydsPharmacy, and AAH Pharmaceuticals.
The merger sees HBJ Gateley’s entire Scottish practice fully integrate into the international firm and become known in Scotland as Addleshaw Goddard, bringing offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
John Joyce, Addleshaw Goddard managing partner, said: “From our very first conversations, it has been important to ensure we had not just the right commercial fit, but a complementary focus on delivering excellent results for our clients and our people. The clear fit between the culture and chemistry of both firms is really evident, as well as a shared ambition to grow the enlarged business by building on our collective expertise across key industries.
“The feedback we’ve had from clients so far has been very encouraging, and we are already starting to see the benefits of a combined, UK-wide approach.”
Malcolm McPherson, former HBJ Senior Partner, who joins the Board of Addleshaw Goddard alongside his role as Senior Partner for Scotland, said: “There are realistic and exciting opportunities for marked growth through our ambition to deliver market-leading advice. The next few years will present many challenges and opportunities for businesses based or doing business in Scotland, so it’s crucial we have the appropriate reach and expertise to meet their requirements.”
Four HBJ Gateley partners have joined the executive team leading Addleshaw Goddard’s four operating divisions: David Kirchin (Corporate & Commercial), Alan Shanks (Finance & Projects), Simon Catto (Litigation) and Miles Ede (Real Estate).
ENDS
