Wilkes and Williamson & Soden set to merge

Birmingham law firm The Wilkes Partnership has announced plans to merge with Solihull-based Williamson & Soden solicitors. The merger will come into effect on 14 May 2013.

Bucking the recent trend of law firm closures in the West Midlands, the merger of Wilkes and Williamson & Soden will form a firm with a combined turnover of £10 million, with 19 partners and 145 employees overall.

Nigel Wood, senior partner at The Wilkes Partnership, comments: “Williamson & Soden is an established and successful law firm and will be a valuable addition to The Wilkes Partnership brand. This merger brings together two complementary commercial law firms that have each successfully survived challenging economic times, with both maintaining an impressive client base throughout the recession. It will result in a bigger firm with an increased pool of expertise than can offer true excellence in client service.”

The Wilkes Partnership will retain its Birmingham city centre head office, and Williamson & Soden’s commercial and private client services will become part of The Wilkes Partnership. Williamson & Soden’s Solihull office will be rebranded and will continue to serve both new and existing clients in the Solihull area.

All employees from both firms will be retained, with Ian Williamson and John Soden both taking on consultant roles.

Ian Williamson, managing partner at Williamson & Soden, adds: “The merger with The Wilkes Partnership will create a firm with a significant presence in the Midlands, as our firms both have a strong track record of meeting the needs of our commercial clients. It will be business as usual for all existing clients, with the added benefits that an increase in available expertise can bring.”

The criminal law services provided by Williamson & Soden will continue to operate under the Williamson & Soden brand.