Cross-Pennines merger creates 1,400 strong law firm

TWO law firms from either side of the Pennines have joined forces after agreeing terms on a merger.

The agreement between Leeds-based Ford & Warren and Liverpool-based law firm Weightmans LLP will be finalised by July 2015.

The merged firm, which will practice under the Weightmans name, will have 187 partners. Around an additional 100 employees from Ford & Warren’s Leeds office will be added to the expanded firm.

Weightmans will be able to expand its nationwide footprint with the merger. The firm already employs 1,300 people across offices in Birmingham, Dartford, Glasgow, Knutsford, Leicester, London and Manchester.

Peter McWilliams, managing partner at Ford & Warren said: “We see the future of delivery of legal services being by practices with a national presence, where clients can access, to its fullest extent, the strength in depth that such a presence can provide.

“The introduction of Weightmans to the Leeds market is exciting; and we are hugely excited, for our clients and ourselves, at the prospect of our successful practice becoming part of a such a forward-thinking and successful practice as Weightmans.”

Managing partner at Weightmans John Schorah said: “The move is very much client driven, both in terms of clients we have in common and support from our clients to be there. Having explored and discussed our synergies, we believe we can, as a combined firm, grow in the Leeds market.”