ACH Shoosmiths is launched today (Monday 1 October). It is the result of a merger between top 40 national law firm Shoosmiths and Edinburgh-based Archibald Campbell & Harley.
The firms have worked together for a number of years, and Shoosmiths was prompted to expand into Scotland as a result of client demand.
The new business is ACH Shoosmiths north of the border, while in England and Wales it remains Shoosmiths.
Announced in June, the merger has secured regulatory approval and will see cross-border working south-to-north and vice versa.
Shoosmiths chairman Andrew Tubbs said: “We were very excited at being able to announce the merger in the summer, and now here we are ready to do business in Scotland, while ACH Shoosmiths is eager to provide its services to clients in England.
“Those clients who’ve been telling us that they wished we worked north of the border have seen us act on those wishes. Now we’re just keen to get going.”
ACH Shoosmiths partner and head of office Janette Speed said: “Key crossover practice areas are real estate, retail, and litigation and recoveries for lenders; and as a single firm we’re able to offer a truly UK-wide service to national clients and prospects.
“The merger has undoubtedly been a huge undertaking, but because we’ve already worked for some years with our new colleagues in England, we know there’s a perfect cultural fit and are delighted to be part of the same firm.”
With the merger, Shoosmiths now has 10 offices, adding Edinburgh to Basingstoke, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading, and Southampton.
Based in Edinburgh’s Queen Street, ACH Shoosmiths advises on wide range of matters, including banking and finance, real estate, corporate, debt recovery, dispute resolution, employment, insolvency and restructuring, and private client work.
Archibald Campbell and Harley were advised in the merger by the corporate finance team at Edinburgh chartered accountants Henderson Loggie.
