Partners at law firms Speechly Bircham and Charles Russell are planning to merge their operations to set up a new firm with combined revenues of £135m, effective 1 November 2014.
To be named Charles Russell Speechlys, the new firm will be based in London and will include 170 partners and 500 lawyers.
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It will be led by Speechly Bircham managing partner James Carter, alongside Charles Russell’s managing partner Christopher Page, who will serve as a senior partner.
The combined firm will be structured around four key divisions including business services, litigation and dispute resolution, private client and real estate and construction.
The merged firm will provide integrated service for wealthy individuals, family offices, wealth managers and large, privately held businesses globally. It will also offer a blend of commercial, business, private wealth, built environment, family and philanthropic experience.
Additionally, the new firm will maintain existing relationships and networks that both the legacy firms had established throughout the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.
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By GlobalDataPage said: "The beauty of the new combination is that it gives us real scale – and the ability to invest – across our practice groups. It will enable us to address the evolving needs of clients within what we describe as the ‘wealth pyramid.
"The aim of the merged firm is to develop generations of commercially-trained client partners who understand different disciplines and who provide strategic and long term advice to clients, not just tell them the answers," he added.
James Carter said: "Our integration team, headed by David Green, is tasked with finding the very best elements of both firms and making them work effectively together. It will also be looking at workflow, team combinations and optimal use of office accommodation.
"We are committing to a multi-million investment in new knowledge management, business development and IT resources, together with specialised business skills training, on top of the professional development that has always been a hallmark of our two practices," he added.
Tony Williams, principal of legal strategy consultants Jomati said: "This combination creates a major firm truly able to serve the diverse needs of an increasingly sophisticated and demanding private wealth and related sectors. The firm will be positioned to provide an unrivalled level of service to these multi-national clients."
