Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

On 1 January, Dawbarns Pearson and Frasers will become Frasers Dawbarns, employing 150 staff, including 17 partners across King's Lynn, Downham Market, Wisbech and March.

Both firms operate in Wisbech and will consolidate into a single office there, while Frasers’ small March operation will be the prime target for further expansion with new offices and two or three new partners joining the office’s only current partner.

The new firm plans to make the most of its expanded capacity and may make further acquisitions in the future.

Dawbarns Pearson’s Colin Bailey – who will share the role of managing partner with David Ball, senior partner at Frasers – said: “By joining forces and investing more in new technology, we will be able to pass on economies and efficiencies to our clients, as well as offering staff increased career development opportunities.”

The new firm will be led by William Morris, senior partner at Dawbarns Pearson. He said: “This is an extremely positive development which will enhance our ability to offer a first class service to our clients and we are greatly looking forward to the opportunities presented.”

The creation of Fraser Dawbarns is the latest merger in Dawbarns Pearson’s recent acquisitive history. The practice – which has roots stretching back over 100 years – is the result of a merger in 2000 of Dawbarns and Pearson & Partners, the same year that Walton Jeffery and Armitage was acquired.

With strong ties to the agricultural sector, Frasers was established in 1842, merging with Southwell Dennis and Land in 1991. Areas of specialism provided by Fraser Dawbarns will include personal injury, criminal and personal law, wills and probate, conveyancing and commercial matters.