Merger: Bristol firm seeks to develop a national presence

Commercial firm TLT is to expand out of its Bristol headquarters for the first time after securing a merger with London-based Lawrence Jones.


All 11 Lawrence Jones partners and their staff will transfer to the new firm next month. The combined practice, which will continue to operate under the TLT banner, will have 50 partners and more than 400 staff.


David Pester, TLT's managing partner, who will lead the combined firm, said: 'Since 60% of our work comes from outside Bristol, and in response to client demand, we made the move to establish a presence in London.'


Mr Pester, who was recently elected for a second term as managing partner after overseeing a period of rapid growth at the firm, said TLT has ambitious plans over the next three years to develop nationally in the banking and finance, leisure and retail sectors. It will also continue its expansion in the south-west.


He said: 'Lawrence Jones, as an established and respected niche practice with similar expertise to our own, represented a good opportunity for us to continue building and investing to help us reach our goals.'


Michael Offer, former senior partner at Lawrence Jones, will assume the role of London office partner at the merged firm. He said: 'As a century old boutique firm specialising in banking, transport and cross-border matters, this merger gives us added strength and depth.'


Lawrence Jones's clients include the UK arm of Allied Irish Bank, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Europe, and Banco Espirito Santo.


TLT was formed in 2000 by the merger of Bristol firms Lawrence Tucketts and Trumps.