Thames Valley law firm Charles Lucas & Marshall, which has a long-standing office in Swindon, is to merge with leading South Coast firm Coffin Mew.
The tie-up, which is expected to be formally complete by the end of next month, will create a legal services business with more than 270 years of combined experience and more than 200 employees.
The merged firm will have particular strengths in private client, corporate services and in the agriculture sector, Charles Lucas & Marshall and Coffin Mew said.
As well as its base in Swindon’s Old Town, Charles Lucas & Marshall also has offices in Newbury and Wantage, while Coffin Mew’s network includes London, Portsmouth, Southampton, Brighton and Gosport.
Charles Lucas & Marshall said it would continue trading under its own name “for the time being”.
Managing partner Hemant Amin said: “Merging with one of the South’s leading law firms gives Charles Lucas & Marshall the opportunity to remain in the vanguard of legal practice in the region.
“In Coffin Mew we have found a like-minded, highly respected firm that will enhance our expertise and depth of experience, making our client service second to none and a legal force to be reckoned with in the South.”
Coffin Mew CEO Miles Brown said the merger would create one of the largest law firms in the region.
“It sets us firmly on track to achieve our target of being a £20m turnover company by 2020,” he said.
“The ethos of Charles Lucas & Marshall is wholly compatible with our own. There is also a great synergy between our mutual specialisms. We can now present a bigger and better private client offering and bolstered corporate service offer, as well as expertise in the agriculture sector.”
The move is the latest in a series of mergers in the legal sector. Last year Withy King, which has a large office in Swindon, merged with city of London practice Royds to form Royds Withy King.
Pictured, from left: Coffin Mew CEO Miles Brown with Hemant Amin, managing partner of Charles Lucas & Marshall
