HBJ Gateley Wareing is continuing its ambitious expansion by joining with rival law firm Boyds.
The enlarged firm will continue to trade under the HBJ Gateley Wareing name from its offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leicester and Birmingham.
The move also comes after HBJ Gateley Wareing recently launched a specialist shipping division through the acqusition of London-based firm Shaw & Croft.
The move will see HBJ move into the top 60 law firms in the UK with more than 110 fee earners and 36 partners based in Scotland.
Malcolm MacPherson, senior partner at HBJ Gateley Wareing, said: \"We have, for some time, wanted to increase our presence in Glasgow, and merging with Boyds gives us the ideal platform to build a substantial business in a vibrant city. This business decision has been prompted, and indeed encouraged, by clients in all our offices and we are delighted we will be working with such a top-class team of lawyers.
\"This has been a busy period but I am confident that our rapid growth will continue in Scotland and throughout the UK.\"
David Boyce, senior partner of Boyds, said: \"We both found a strong cultural fit and common ground on the key practice areas that was fundamental to our decision to join HBJ Gateley Wareing. Our clients will benefit from this approach and access to a full service offering across the UK.
\"The two firms have a clear vision of their future together which makes the merger both compelling and exciting.