Law firms merge to create enlarged family and divorce practice
TWO West Midland law firms have merged to create one of the largest family and divorce practice in the region.
The merger between Birmingham-based K&M Family Law Solutions and Worcestershire’s Harrison Clark Rickerbys has created a new practice with 22 partners and solicitors.
K&M Family Law is a partnership between Kevin Harris-James and Michael Vale. Both partners have previously worked for leading national law firms before setting up their own dedicated family law practice.
Dawn Oliver, partner and head of Private Client at HCR said: “We are delighted that Kevin Harris-James and Michael Vale have joined forces with Harrison Clark Rickerbys to further cement our status as one of the leading family law teams in the country.”
She said both firms would benefit from the combined range of services and breadth of experience offered by the partners.
Harris-James, partner in K&M Family Law Solutions said: “The merger allows us to fulfil our ambitions of creating a first-class family law offering, where the needs of the client always comes first.”
Harris-James is considered one of the UK’s leading family lawyers, also being individually recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
His experience covers all aspects and all levels of family law matters, including high conflict Children Act disputes and relocation of children abroad. He specialises in complex financial disputes, including those involving complex business and trust structures and those with an international dimension. He also acts for professional football clubs and professional football players, being a registered and approved Solicitor with the Football Association.
He is also a member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a select group of lawyers specialising in international family law, and a former member of the Resolution International Family Law Committee. He is the co-author of ‘International Aspects of Family Law (2nd edition)’ and was named Midlands Family Lawyer of the Year in 2005 and short listed for Midlands Solicitor of the Year in 2010.
Harris-James will divide his time between the Birmingham office and the Worcester offices of Harrison Clark Rickerbys.
Michael Vale has practiced in the area for more than 30 years, having previously been head of Family Law for a large Birmingham-based law firm.
He will continue to work from the Birmingham office of K&M Family Law in Edgbaston, which will trade under the name of Harrison Clark Rickerbys incorporating K&M Family Law.
Ms Oliver added: “Our combined Private Client teams offer an exceptional range of services for individuals and we see this merger as bolstering and expanding the breadth and depth of service we are able to offer.”
