Richard Gibson

The launch of ALFMA sees Armstrong Watson join up with Aaron & Partners, Ampersand Legal, Haddon Consult, Hazlewoods, Hedley Consulting, Howard Hackney LLP and Wilkinson Read as founder members.

The new association has been formed as a direct response to “unprecedented change and challenges faced by the legal profession”.

Andrew Roberts, of Ampersand Legal and chairman of ALFMA, said: “We felt there was a real need to establish a kitemark style level of excellence that law firms could rely on when taking on this most important challenge.

“Solicitors are excellent at advising their clients, but are not always so good at looking after their own businesses. Finding the right solution for each practice takes skill and experience, and by using an ALFMA member a managing partner can be sure that they are dealing with an experienced and professional law firm merger expert.”

Richard Gibson, Glasgow office lead partner at Armstrong Watson, added: “We have all got considerable expertise in law firm mergers and acquisitions, between us accounting for approximately 150 such transactions.

“This association provides a key UK wide network that allows our clients to have access to a larger pool of potential vendors/targets. It also allows for a ‘one stop shop’ of experts for all of the strategy, facilitation, valuation, taxation and legal documentation that collectively results in a smooth transaction.”