Kennedys, which yesterday (28 June) announced an 8% rise in revenue, has acquired Manchester-based Berg & Co, bringing the firm’s 50 staff into Kennedys offices in the city.
Berg provides corporate and commercial, banking and financial regulation, real estate, dispute resolution and employment legal services. The firm is led by founder and senior partner Reuben Berg and CEO Alison Loveday.
The expansion follows Kennedys tie-up with US insurance specialist Carroll McNulty & Kull (CMK), handing the London-based firm five branches across the US. The practice will be marketed as Kennedys CMK in the US. Kennedys also recently boosted its marine and shipping departments through a City merger with Waltons & Morse, adding a 28-strong legal team and five partners.
In a statement, Nick Thomas, Kennedys senior partner said the two firms were a complementary fit, allowing the businesses to offer clients significantly enhanced commercial litigation and complementary services.
‘We are also pleased to be further growing our presence in Manchester. The city’s talent pool and our increased presence there provide a strong platform to source, attract and retain talent.’
Kennedys announced 8% revenue growth for the 2016/17 period, up from £138.8m to £149.9m.
The top 30 UK law firm highlighted European growth as a key contributor to the performance. Kennedys’ continental network saw combined turnover more than double from £6.5m to £14.2m. The firm’s Dublin branch increased income 41%, from £3.5m to £4.9m as the firm invested in the Irish capital by more than doubling its office space last year.
Kennedys also pointed to growth in a number of international offices across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. The firm fulfilled extensive international expansion aims last year, particularly in Latin America, opening offices in Chile and Columbia, while launching greenfield operations in Brazil and Peru.
Additionally, the firm, which has yet to finalise its net income and partner profits, announced that debt had dropped to 14% of turnover, while headcount rose 10% worldwide.
