Maclay Murray & Spens – one of Scotland’s oldest law firms – is merging with the world’s largest law firm (by number of fee earners).
The reason stated for the merger is to help Dentons’ business development drive in Europe by acquiring MMS’ oil and gas market clients served by its offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The deal awaits the go-ahead from Dentons global partnership, expected in three weeks. Maclays will then operate under the Dentons brand.
Partners at Maclays and Dentons have approved the takeover, which will add 196 lawyers and 62 partners to Dentons UK operations, bringing its partner figure in the UK to 198.
The Scottish firm focuses on financial services, energy, transport and real estate. The two firms also share clients in the banking sector including the Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Scotland – Lloyds Banking Group.
Jeremy Cohen, Chief Executive, Dentons UK MEA, said: ‘The office in Aberdeen gives us the opportunity to have a presence in Europe’s leading oil and gas centre”.
Dentons’ profits per equity partner last year totalled more than £480,000 each in England.
24 July 2017
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