Practices merge

A Shrewsbury solicitors has merged with a Manchester-based firm in a move which could see an extra 20 posts created at the county town office.

Scott Lister Solicitors, based in the Irelands Mansion building, is joining forces with Linder Myers Solicitors, a 25-partner firm with over 70 fee earners.

Bill Jarvis, a well-known commercial property lawyer, will head up Linder Myers incorporating Scott Lister Solicitors Shrewsbury office. The existing partners Stuart Lister, Spencer Newsome and Reg Foster and the other fee earners will all remain with the firm.

Bill said: "This is a very exciting time for both firms and particularly for me. We have the advantage of a long established local high street practice, supported by the technology, experience and commercial expertise of a large city practice, thereby enabling us to develop specialist areas of commercial and corporate law as well as maintaining the ethos of a local practice."

Linder Myers has been looking to expand outside Manchester for a number of years and feels that the successful economy of Shropshire fits perfectly with its large commercial and trusts and estate planning teams.

Managing partner Bernard Seymour, who lives in Shropshire, said: "I moved to the area about eight years ago and have been welcomed into the local community.

"It is not only a beautiful part of the country to live but also a great place to do business. This is a long-term investment for us and we will not stop here. We plan to attract solicitors from other Shropshire practices to join us enabling us to build a large base here and become part of the fabric of the Shropshire business community."