Watson Burton in tie-up with technology experts

May 1 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A TOP North East law firm has persuaded a Surrey firm with a raft of blue chip clients to turn down City and US suitors and join it in a merger.

Newcastle-based Watson Burton LLP has opened offices in Leeds and London in recent years and has now secured a tie-up with commercial and technology experts Trevor Robinson & Co.

Described by both parties as a merger, the Weybridge-based practice will move into Watson Burton’s office at the Gherkin building in the City of London and will trade under the Watson Burton brand.

Trevor Robinson will bring a number of high profile clients including SAP, Panasonic, Petrobras, Cryolife and the Northern Trust Company.

Gillian Hall, chairwoman of Watson Burton’s strategy board, said: “We have a strategy for growth. Our three offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London give us national coverage and huge opportunities to take the firm on to the next stage of its development.

“The merger with Trevor Robinson & Co is a prime example. It is an internationally successful commercial and technology practice with a hugely impressive client base.”

Mr Robinson, who established the two-partner practice, said: “We have been courted by a number of firms, including a couple of US heavyweights, but Watson Burton’s approach, reputation and complementary expertise matched our own business aims. We are hugely excited about what comes next and look forward to being based in the Gherkin.”

Watson Burton has been established in Newcastle for 200 years but it is over the last couple of decades that it has started its ambitious growth programme. In 2004, it left its Collingwood Street offices in the city centre and moved into St James Square.

This was followed by the opening of a new office in Leeds in 2005 – the first North East company to make such a move – and one year later it opened an office in London. It now has 300 staff, 42 partners and turned over around £23m last year.

Ms Hall added: “We are an ambitious firm, one which recognises that you cannot rest on your laurels.

“The Newcastle business market is quite small, relatively speaking.”

Partner Ann Lewin will head Watson Burton’s national specialist technology group.

We have been courted by a number of firms, including US heavyweights, but Watson Burton matched our own business aims