Thomas Eggar loses nametag as it merges with PI giant Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell and Thomas Eggar have today announced they will merge in a deal worth £250m - which will see turnover in the combined business team grow to more than £80m.

The merger - which will see Thomas Eggar adopt the Irwin Mitchell brand - is the biggest in the latter's 103-year history, having completed seven mergers and acquisitions previously. Irwin Mitchell's group chief executive Andrew Tucker believes the latest merger will transform the riches of all parties involved.

'It combines the strengths of two highly-respected businesses to create a dynamic, client-focused firm that will give us further scale, critical mass and a competitive advantage in our target markets to become the legal brand of choice,' he said.

Thomas Eggar has expertise in the retail, financial services, technology and media, and manufacturing sectors, all of which are set to complement Irwin Mitchell's specialism in corporate, employment, real estate, commercial litigation, banking, and intellectual property law.

Another advantage sees the strength and experience of the private wealth teams from Irwin Mitchell, Thomas Eggar and Berkeley Law - acquired by Irwin Mitchell in November 2014 - come together. The three entities will sprawl across the capital and the regions, with Thomas Eggar's six offices in London and the South East, the 11 national offices Irwin Mitchell work from, and the additional offices run by Berkeley Law in Mayfair.

Tucker continued: 'This is the latest step in our strategic expansion plan but we see still further opportunities arising as the market continues to consolidate.'

Thomas Eggar managing partner Vicky Brackett, who will join the Irwin Mitchell LLP executive board, said: 'Bringing our two firms together will make us only stronger and gives the strength in numbers and depth of experience to offer clients a service that is second to none.'

'It highlights how Irwin Mitchell recognises the success of Thomas Eggar and Thomas Eggar recognises the strength of Irwin Mitchell,' she said.

The merger is expected to be formally completed in December 2015. All 450 Thomas Eggar employees, including 67 partners, will transfer to Irwin Mitchell after a TUPE process which begins today.