Niche firms give pair a foot on the property ladder

The acquisition of niche property firms seems to be the flavour of the month, with both Bristol and London firm Osborne Clarke OWA and top south-east practice Argles Stoneham Burstows this week snapping up specialist London practices.Osborne Clarkes 18-partner strong real estate department has been boosted by the acquisition of property specialists McGuinness Finch, with a total of seven new partners and four assistants arriving in the property, planning and property litigation areas.Likewise, Argles Stoneham Burstows, swallowed up specialist London firm Keene Marsland.

The addition of partners John Barry and Declan McPhillips, along with solicitor Jim Watts, strengthens the commercial and residential property departments.To reflect its growth, Argles Stoneham Burstows has also rebranded itself asb law, with a new graphic identity.

Chief executive Christopher Honeyman Brown said the branding would distinguish the firms values and services.Victoria MacCallum