Three leading Coventry law firms are to merge to form one of the strongest legal practices in the area.
Band Hatton, Button Legal and Varley Hibbs have signed an agreement which will see them become one firm from the start of April.
The new firm – Band Hatton Button incorporating Varley Hibbs – will have15 partners and will employ around 70 staff.
It will be based at Warwick Road in the city – currently the home of Button Legal.
Philip Costigan, senior partner of the newly-merged firm, said: “We have been in talks for several months about joining forces and we are delighted to have reached this agreement.
“All three firms have complementary skills and we believe that we will be much stronger operating together.
“It will be good for clients in terms of the range of services and expertise we can offer and will give all of us more strength in depth.
“It is a very exciting development for all three firms. Each has a very strong reputation in its own right and this move will only enhance that.”
Button Legal was established 25 years ago by Nick Button, who will be one of the new company’s equity partners.
Varley Hibbs, currently at the Innovation Village, was founded more than 80 years ago.
Band Hatton is one of the oldest legal firms in the city, having been established in 1896 and is based at Copthall House in Station Square.
One of its partners, Dawn Mobbs, is currently president of the Warwickshire Law Society and, by coincidence, succeeded Button in the role.
Costigan added: “While we all operate for clients across the UK and in a wide variety of sectors, we are very much Coventry firms so it was important that we remained right at the heart of the city and its business community.
“Coventry and Warwickshire has a thriving professional services sector and we will continue to play a full part in its development.”