Law firms Glaisyers and Fruhman Davies Livingstones merge
MANCHESTER law firm Glaisyers Solicitors, has taken on 26 staff, including all partners of Fruhman Davies Livingstones.
Founded nearly 40 years ago and also based in Manchester, FDL will cease to exist. Its founding partners Steven Fruhman and Jonathan Davies have joined Glaisyers as consultants and, in addition, Malcolm Abel and Martyn Caplan have also joined as partners.
The deal comes six months after Glaisyers demerged its legal services business to form separate firm, WTB Solicitors. The FDL deal sees it become an 11-partner firm with around 80 staff, and was a solvent transaction. The firm is hoping to grow from around £5.5m turnover to £10m within the next five years.
Harvey Cohen, previously of FDL has joinedGlaisyers as joint managing partner.
He explained: “Glaisyers is an excellent fit for us and joining the two firms is the right thing to do. The two firms have always shared a ‘clients first and always’ philosophy so together, I believe that we will be able to deliver an even better service and provide yet more creative and effective solutions in all types of commercial matters.”
Nick Johnson, joint managing partner at Glaisyers Solicitors added: “This is an exciting move for both firms and we are delighted to welcome Harvey and his colleagues to Glaisyers.
“From the outset it was clear we had a shared vision to provide quality legal solutions to SMEs, individuals and families across the region. Our new arrivals will complement and enhance Glaisyers in a number of key areas such as private client, residential and commercial property, company commercial and employment – it’s a great opportunity for all of us.”
Initially, former FDL staff will operate as Glaisyers at the existing premises at Blackfriars House in Manchester. During 2014, it is expected that staff will eventually be housed together at One St James’ Square.
Nick Johnson concluded: “The legal landscape continues to change rapidly but we have a clear growth plan. Consolidation in the marketplace continues apace and we are always interested in more firms joining in our success and recruiting real talent to help us grow further.
“Our philosophy continues to be that our clients come first and see us as being big enough to trust and small enough to care.”
