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07 February 2008 / Simon Young
Issue: 7307 / Categories: Features , Company , Competition , Commercial
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Risk Management Focus

Merging Firms, Benefits, Cultural Fit

I see the firm next door is merging. There seems to be a rash of mergers about. Are we going to have to go that route?

I don’t think you absolutely have to go that way, but I’d be surprised if you were not at least thinking of what the options might be. But before you even consider it, you need to consider where a merger might fit into your strategy, or where it might indeed endanger it.
 
But surely it’s just a question of getting two firms which are roughly the same, and putting them together, isn’t it?
Not at all. That might give you a real problem. Putting it simply, what do you get if you put two small firms together that are not very good? A larger firm that is definitely no good!
 
So how should we approach it?
You’ve got to identify what you want out of the deal. Are you, for instance, seeking simply
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—four appointments

Birketts—four appointments

Firm expands partnership with four lateral hires across key practice areas

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Harper James—Lottie Hugo

Commercial law firm announces appointment of corporate partner

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Carey Olsen—Patrick Ormond

Partner joins corporate and finance practice in British Virgin Islands

NEWS
Serial sperm donor Robert Albon has lost his bid for a declaration of paternity, ‘on the ground that to grant it would manifestly be contrary to public policy’
The government is considering wholesale reform of consumer class actions—the ‘opt-out’ collective claims certified by the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT)
A ‘sophisticated suspected fraud’ may have taken place at PM Law involving the improper removal and misuse of about £39.5m of client funds, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) will invest in technology to catch tech-reliant fraudsters and handle voluminous case materials
Law firms enjoyed rapid growth in 2025, according to a Financial Benchmarking Survey, published by the Law Society last week
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