Five partners from Milton Keynes-based Fennemores are to move to rival firm Geoffrey Leaver.

Some 23 lawyers and paralegals from Fennemores' commercial property, commercial litigation and personal injury departments will transfer across to Geoffrey Leaver, which will almost double in size and is currently seeking new premises.


Head of commercial litigation and debt services Guy Brooks, commercial property partner Melissa Page, personal injury partner Anne Maguire, commercial services partner Richard Millard and employment partner Stuart Snelson will all join in May.


Mr Brooks said a 'domino effect' had been triggered by the recent decision of three other Fennemores equity partners - including senior partner Simon Ingram - and two salaried partners to join another local rival EMW.


Fennemores managing partner Martin Keeling said some 90 staff and the bulk of the firm's personal injury department, family and volume conveyancing division would remain, as well as some employment and litigation lawyers.