Two of London’s oldest law firms to join forces next year
A COUPLE of London’s oldest law firms – May, May & Merrimans, and Hunters – are to merge as of 1 April next year, they announced yesterday.
The newly-formed firm will be known as Hunters, incorporating May, May & Merrimans, and will have its main office at 9 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn. It will be equipped with 120 staff with a combined experience of 530 years.
Hunters was founded in 1715 and has practised from its 17th century premises in Lincoln’s Inn for close to 300 years. The company has been expanding since 2011, when it incorporated private client firm Vernor-Miles & Noble into its business. In the following 18 months, the firm hired five new partners and, in February 2014, took on boutique firm Klein Solicitors.
May, May & Merrimans was established in 1786 by Richard Wilson, with the firm adopting its present name after its merger with Merrimans in 1968. The firm is particularly known for its work on landed estates and heritage property.
Paul Almy, senior partner at Hunters, said: “It is our responsibility to keep evolving so that we continue to be a leading Lincoln’s Inn law firm for many generations to come. May, May & Merrimans have an exceptionally strong private client department and a very well-established property practice. Their team will provide us with significant strength in depth ensuring that we continue to offer a comprehensive service to all our clients.”
Senior partner at May, May & Merrimans Richard Taylor added: “We believe our two firms to be an ideal fit in terms of focus, ethos and commitment to providing a high-quality and cost-effective service to clients. By joining forces we will produce one of the largest private client departments in the country, with the expertise and resources required to maintain the highest standards in what has become a very specialist area.”