A Birmingham law firm is expanding its operations to London after merging with a West End practice.

Davies and Partners has merged with McEwen Parkinson and its new London office in Harley Street will operate during the first year under the name Davies and Partners Solicitors incorporating McEwen Parkinson.

Davies and Partners’ corporate development partner Ewan Lockhart has become managing partner in London, while McEwen Parkinson’s partners Greg McEwen and Tim Parkinson will remain at the firm.

McEwen Parkinson was formed in the 1950s as LB Marks & Co and has been in its present form since May 1993.

The firm‘s reputation and success has been generated through services it provides for its predominantly corporate clients, particularly in the IT and property sectors.

Welcoming the merger Davies and Partners chairman Tom Brennan said: “This move enables the firm to achieve its objective of expansion into London and the South East and to build on the success of our existing offices in Birmingham, Bristol and Gloucester.

“The development provides an important resource for our existing clients and enables our expanded team to provide the same high quality legal services we have offered clients for over 25 years, to new clients in the London and the South East.”

He added: “The current economic climate is a difficult one for most firms around the UK but London is economically vibrant and this expansion enables Davies and Partners to reach a new client base and continue our plans for growth.

“For McEwen Parkinson’s clients this merger will mean a continuity of service with the added benefits of access to a wider range of specialist legal services and to our team of over 100 legal experts in the Midland and South West.”

Greg McEwen said: “As a successful practice McEwen Parkinson has received interest from many firms over the years but the merger with Davies and Partners was one we were delighted to progress as the firm shares very similar values and has shown a clear focus on providing the very highest standards of service to its clients, which is entirely compatible with our own business ethos.”