Worcester’s largest law firm is set to get bigger still as part of a drive to strengthen its presence across the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
Harrison Clark Solicitors, which has offices in Worcester and Cheltenham, is to merge with Herefordshire-based firm Shawcross & Co, which has bases in Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.
The merger means the firm, which will still trade as Harrison Clark, will have doubled in size in two years.
It follows on from Harrison Clark’s merger with Cheltenham-based Jordans less than two years ago and will see the firm’s turnover increase to an estimated £12 million from £2 million in 2000.
As well as increasing its geographical spread, the new firm will have nine equity partners, 13 partners and a workforce of more than 200.
Rod Thomas, managing partner and head of business services at Harrison Clark, said the merger formed a key part of Harrison Clark’s long-term growth strategy.
“In essence it is part of a continuing plan to look to be the leading law firm in the three counties,” he said.
“We are already the largest – it is now about geographical spread. Until two years ago we were a single office site in Worcester with a serviced office in Birmingham.”
Announcing the merger Mr Thomas highlighted a number of strengths which he feels will help the firm achieve its ambitions – in particular the range of services it offers.
“There is a strong demand for a broad range of legal services,” he said. “It is this firm’s policy to be diverse in terms of clients and the type of work – something we are proud of.
“The key is to try to identify what your business strengths are and focus on those. Then you can successfully provide an excellent and hopefully unique service.
“A lot of firms will focus on individual areas but the recession has shown the weakness of that, particularly with the collapse of commercial property and banking.
‘‘There’s a false attraction. If you become too dependant on one particular area or one particular client – just as easy as it comes it can go.
“This firm has been here for 100 years and will be here for another 100 years. We have to take a long-term view and maintain a breadth of service.”
