Maclays swallows Fenners while eyeing future growth

MERGER: Scottish firm could reach 200 lawyers in London

Scottish commercial firm Maclay Murray & Spens has sewn up a merger with City corporate boutique firm Fenners - but is still looking potentially to double its size again in London.

From mid-June - when Fenners' lawyers will move to Maclays' London office - the Scottish firm, which will not change its name, will have 79 lawyers, including 13 partners, in the capital.

Two of Fenners' five partners - senior partner John Fenner and his son Robert - will join Maclays as partners with the remaining three joining as senior associates.

Fenners' remaining eight lawyers and five support staff will all join Maclays.

The merger with Fenners will see Maclays boost its corporate, property and banking departments in London, and gain Fenners' client list.

Meanwhile, Fenners will be able to offer its clients an extended service, including tax and litigation advice, when it joins Maclays.

Maclays recently hired three partners: commercial property partner Nick Bird of Allen & Overy, Boodle Hatfield's former head of corporate, Jonathan Brooks, and Stephen Levinson, the former head of employment at KLegal.

But Maclays' chief executive, Magnus Swanson, said: 'Cautious expansion is still on the agenda.

We still see scope to grow in London, though it is not an easy market at the moment.'

Mr Swanson said the firm's London office could potentially match the headcount of its Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, which have 200 lawyers each.

He said: 'A nice place to be would be another stage bigger.'

John Fenner said: 'The combined firm will allow our lawyers and staff many opportunities to develop and progress their careers within a dynamic and expanding organisation.'

Jeremy Fleming