Addleshaw Goddard’s latest play in Scotland follows the collapse of merge negotiations with Scottish ‘big four’ firm Maclay Murray & Spens in February this year. Combined, Addleshaws and HJB Gateley would create a firm with revenues around £220m – unlikely to push Addleshaws higher up the law firm league tables, but moving the it considerably close to its goal of achieving $250m in fee income by 2017/18. HBJ Gately’s posted turnover of almost £20m in 2014/15, compared with Addelshaws top-line income of £201.8m for the 2015/16 financial year. The firms’ partners are expected to be formally notified of the takeover plans during a scheduled videoconference at 5pm this evening.

Sources: Legal Business; The Lawyer