Garretts' Leeds sale

City firm DLA has bought Andersen Legal's Leeds practice as Andersens insists it is committed to regional growth.

This is despite implementation of a strategic review emphasising London.

Last Thursday, DLA agreed to take 31 lawyers and support staff from Garretts, the UK member of Arthur Andersen's Andersen Legal network.

They will join DLA's 166-lawyer Leeds office, leaving just four litigators behind.

They are to be made redundant.

Garretts senior partner, Tony Williams, said the deal was struck against a background of 'considerable' historical instability at Garretts' Leeds office.

Raids by Addleshaw Booth & Co and Wragge & Co last year shrunk the office to half its former size, stripping the office of corporate finance, management buyout and commercial property capability.

Despite rumours that Garretts is to withdraw from the regions, Mr Williams said: 'All of our remaining offices are already operating in accordance with an agreed strategy and I can confirm that we remain committed to the other Garretts offices, which will continue to be developed.'

The September strategy review saw Garretts becoming more London-focused.

A source said: 'Our projects department was looking for extra resource.

Andersens have made no secret that their investment priority is London.'

The deal was negotiated by Peter Ridley, Garretts' managing director, and DLA chiefs Nigel Knowles and Andrew Darwin.

The departing Garretts partners were led by commercial and technology partner Richard Bonnar and transport partner Nick Painter.

The lawyers hope to be at DLA by Christmas.

Anne Mizzi