Mills & Reeve boosts London office with Maxwell Winward merger

National firm Mills & Reeve has strengthened its London office after securing a merger with Maxwell Winward, a firm best known for its real estate, surety, projects and construction practices.

The merger will take effect from 1 June 2017. The combined firm – to be called Mills & Reeve – will have 116 partners and nearly 1,000 staff operating from six offices in Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester and Norwich. It will have a turnover of approximately £93m.

Justin Ripman, Mills & Reeve senior partner, said: “This merger will enable us to substantially grow our presence in the City. It helps realise a key aim of our 2020 strategy to expand our offering to London based and international clients by successfully leveraging our nationwide network of leading legal experts.

“Indeed, the merger will enhance our real estate investment and insurance sectors, as well as our projects and construction practice. Maxwell Winward’s surety practice bridges the insurance and construction sectors in which we’re already strong while its power plant expertise will add another area of know-how to our projects offering.”

Adrian Luto, Maxwell Winward senior partner, said: “The merger provides a great opportunity to extend the range of services we can offer clients while continuing to focus on what we do best. Combining our real estate expertise will allow us to widen our offering by providing a more extensive service without losing the personal touch.”