Merged law firm catapulted into Legal 100

BIRMINGHAM law firm Shakespeare Putsman is to take over Stratford-based Needham & James to form one of the largest practices in the West Midlands.

Up to 15 jobs are to go from the new combined business, and the Colmore Row office of Needham and James is to be shut and the staff transferred to Shakepeare Putsman’s base in Temple Street.

The new firm will have an annual turnover of approximately £24m and a staff of 320 people, including 40 partners. The merger propels the new firm into the Legal 100, and makes it the fourth largest practice in the region, in terms of fee-earners.

Shakespeare Putsman’s chief executive Paul Wilson will lead the new combined group and chairman Mark English will also take on an expanded role.

John Hughes and Herbie Andrews, the two most senior figures within Needham & James will stay on as partners in the new business.

Mr Wilson told TheBusinessDesk.com that up to £1m of infrastructure, IT and property savings could be made straight away, but that some redundancies would also be necessary.

He said: “It is inevitable when merging two firms providing similar services that some duplication will occur and consequently some redundancies will be necessary to ensure the long term success of the new firm.

“Where necessary, these difficult decisions will be taken quickly to minimise the impact on individuals.”

He added: “The recession has made the legal market place increasingly complex and competitive. By merging with Needham & James we will be able to offer clients of both firms stronger legal expertise across all areas of existing practice, as well as delivering a broader range of services.”

Further acquisitions were a distinct possibility, said Mr Wilson, as the firm looked to create a ring of offices around Birmingham. “We want to have a number of satellites where good lawyers will be attracted to work without having to go into Birmingham all the time,” he said.

Staff were told of the merger on Monday afternoon. Employees at Needham & James were told that a 10% pay cut imposed when the recession took hold would be largeley lifted, with some staff returning to full pay and others having some of their lost salary reinstated.

The combined firm will be called Shakespeare Putsman LLP however the Needham and James main office in Stratford-upon-Avon will continue to trade under its current name.

Managing partner at Needham & James, Herbie Andrews said: “In recent years we have recognised that in order to continue to service our clients’ expanding requirements we need to be part of a larger organisation.

“By joining forces with Shakespeare Putsman we know we can make the necessary investment in technology and infrastructure to ensure we can continue to provide exceptional service to our clients across the Midlands and throughout the UK.”