Law firm merger announced
Law firm Gilbert Stephens LLP has formally announced its merger with Symes Robinson Lee, an established and well respected legal practice located in Exeter, Crediton and Budleigh Salterton.
The merger, which came into effect on Monday 1 July, was formally announced during an event held at the Exeter Golf and Country Club and the new partnership will see the multi-role solicitor firm double in size, growing to over 100 employees.
The merger will also see Gilbert Stephens extend its geographic reach into East and Mid-Devon and Alistair Heron, Partner at the law firm, states: “Everyone is very excited about the possibilities the merger presents, both in terms of the benefits it offers our loyal clients and the advantages it will bring to the business.”
Alistair, who has been a Partner at the law firm for over 25 years, was instrumental throughout the process, helping manage the merger from the outset to completion and he addressed staff at a recent drinks reception, commenting: “I believe our merger is going to make us stronger, better able to serve our clients and better able to take on the challenges facing the legal profession today.”
“Probably one of the biggest challenges facing law firms is the increasing levels of competition and of regulation we have to comply with. By merging and combining our expertise, we are in a much better position to efficiently deal with these aspects of the business,” he continued.
The law firm states that for all intents and purposes, the client experience will remain the same and will be very much “business as usual”.
“The announcement is really just the start of the journey for us all. Clients will see the same person they have dealt with for years at the same offices, so essentially it will just be a company name change coming into force and even that won’t change overnight! We believe people still want to have the option of seeing a solicitor face-to-face if they want to, rather than just conducting business or tending to legal matters over the telephone, so having a wider geographic spread will allow us to stay in close contact with our clients.”
Culturally the two firms deemed themselves as a “good fit” as they offer the same services, and coincidentally, both also have extensive experience offering financial services such as long term care planning, mortgages and investment advice - something which is not common practice for law firms. Symes Robinson Lee’s financial services offering will now join Gilbert Stephens Financial Services Ltd.
Patrick Langrishe, Partner at Symes Robinson Lee, comments: “We have recognised the benefits of creating a larger firm for some time and Gilbert Stephens LLP is a well established firm of a similar size with offices in Exeter, Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary. We share the same values, ethos and general view about the way a legal practice should be run as well as a commitment to service.”
Over the next two years Gilbert Stephens LLP plans to significantly invest in its technology infrastructure in order to continue to offer clients an efficient and cost effective service.
For further information about the merger, please visit www.gilbertstephens.co.uk or www.symesrobinsonlee.co.uk
