Solihull based solicitors Wood Glaister has announced that it is
to merge with Midlands based Shakespeares on 1 December 2011. Wood
Glaister will continue to trade under its present name and the
combined firm will retain its office in Solihull.
Wood Glaister is a nine-partner practice employing 55 people.
Established in 1984, the firm specialises in property development,
commercial property, commercial litigation and personal injury.
Wood Glaister senior partner Alan Sinnett said: "We have very
carefully considered how we wish to build a successful future for
all of our staff and for the firm. Joining forces with Shakespeares
provides us with the opportunity to create a very powerful Midlands
based legal business with offices across the region. Solihull
remains a vibrant hub for business and we will continue to focus on
growing our business in the local area and across the Midlands.
"Shakespeares is a firm which shares our values of working in
partnership with clients and delivering excellent client service.
As such we are looking forward to maintaining the high levels of
personal service which our clients are used to receiving and to
introducing further services over time."
Shakespeares chief executive Paul Wilson said: "The recession
has made the legal market place increasingly complex and
competitive. By merging with Wood Glaister we will be able to offer
clients of the combined firm stronger and deeper legal expertise
across all areas of existing practice - particularly property
development.
"This decision is the latest in a series of planned growth which
has seen the firm grow to a current turnover of around £28m
employing 430 people. Our aim remains to be one of the leading
Midlands domiciled legal services providers. Wood Glaister joining
us follows our mergers with Nottingham based law firm Berryman; and
Stratford upon and Avon based firm Needham & James in 2010 and
- most recently in October 2011 - specialist social housing
practice Gorrara Haden.
"We are committed to continuing to make positive decisions to
invest in our long term success including recruiting the very best
people, investing in our infrastructure and remaining focused on
serving our clients to the very best of our ability."