The firm is in the process of refitting its Holborn offices, which includes moving to an open plan seating arrangement intended to create ‘a more agile, flexible working environment.’ The major changes will take place in a series of phases to be completed by next March.

Olswang has also been laying the foundations for a shift to agile working since the end of 2015, with chief executive Paul Stevens having been pushing to make the change since he was elected last year. The firm has been upgrading its IT systems and staff smartphones so that documents can be accessed via the cloud.

Mr Stevens is also understood to be on the hunt for a merger, with the possibility of a tie-up having been discussed at the January partner conference. Bird & Bird, Simmons & Simmons and an unnamed US firm were understood to have been approached about a combination. Source: The Lawyer