Wedlake Bell sizing up 21-firm Euro mega merger

London law firm Wedlake Bell is moving towards a merger with the 20 mid-sized European law firms that make up the Trans European Law Firms Alliance (TELFA).

In a significant step towards merger, the firms - which have 700 lawyers between them - have set up an integrated cross-border corporate finance team, allowing firms to share fees.

Similar e-commerce and employment law teams will follow.

TELFA was the brainchild of Andrew Baker, its president and a partner with 32-partner Wedlake Bell.

He said merger was a definite possibility.

There have already been talks between the firms, but that different countries have 'different views on the pace of integration'.

Ultimately, the move would be client-driven, he said.

TELFA was founded in 1990 and boasts Ledingham Chalmers, perhaps the most international Scottish firm, among its members.

It has an administrative base in Brussels which will run the corporate finance team.

Neil Rose