National legal practice Colin Biggers & Paisley is accelerating its growth and reinforcing its position in the Melbourne market, by merging with Melbourne based commercial law firm Logie-Smith Lanyon.

The merger will combine the practice groups of Logie-Smith Lanyon and Colin Biggers & Paisley as one legal practice, Colin Biggers & Paisley.

Logie-Smith Lanyon, a Melbourne based commercial practice established 25 years ago, will bring across 31 new staff, including six partners to Colin Biggers & Paisley's Melbourne office. This will see Colin Biggers & Paisley's partnership grow to 74 and total numbers across its three east coast offices rise to 500.

Colin Biggers & Paisley's Managing Partner Nick Crennan, based in locked down Sydney, has been working with Logie-Smith Lanyon's Managing Partner Andrew Logie-Smith, in locked down Melbourne, to bed down the deal and ensure a successful merger, effective 1 November 2021.  The Logie-Smith Lanyon team will join their new colleagues at Colin Biggers & Paisley's Melbourne office at 181 William Street.

The merger will greatly strengthen Colin Biggers & Paisley's depth of expertise and offering to clients across core areas of law including corporate and commercial and property development.  The merger will also expand Colin Biggers & Paisley's footprint in the private client sector.

Mr. Crennan said notwithstanding the challenges of executing a merger in lockdown, it was business as usual for the practice.

"While the environment is challenging, it's business as usual for Colin Biggers & Paisley. We continue to work alongside our clients, advising them, as they are dealing with the challenges of an increasingly complex operating environment.

Our practice is in a strong position, and this merger will further cement our position in Melbourne and Australia as one of the leading Australian practices across our chosen markets and fields of expertise.

The partners of Colin Biggers & Paisley have relished the opportunity to learn more about Logie-Smith Lanyon, with both our practices sharing the same values and collaborative approach to working together to provide solutions to our clients that solve their problems. I am confident our combined practices, expertise and experience will create an exceptional offering for our clients."

Andrew Logie-Smith said the move to Colin Biggers & Paisley offers their clients access to a greater depth and breadth of services, and exceptional career opportunities for the Logie-Smith Lanyon team members.

"Colin Biggers & Paisley has a reputation in the market for their collaborative approach to solving their clients' problems, and their culture. We are an ideal fit for each other. I'm confident that as one practice, we will have a strong platform for growth in our core focus areas, and will deliver exceptional client service to our clients."

For more information please contact Linda Branton on 02 8281 4594 or linda.branton@cbp.com.au.

This is commentary published by Colin Biggers & Paisley for general information purposes only. This should not be relied on as specific advice. You should seek your own legal and other advice for any question, or for any specific situation or proposal, before making any final decision. The content also is subject to change. A person listed may not be admitted as a lawyer in all States and Territories. © Colin Biggers & Paisley, Australia 2024.