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Leading UK law firms Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins have agreed to merge – and will commence trading as Moore Barlow from 1 May. The new firm will have offices in Southampton, Guildford, Woking and Lymington, as well as two locations in London – Richmond and the City of London, offering a wide range of services to clients. Sectors covered by the new firm will include Education, Family Law, Financial Services, Healthcare, Housebuilding, Manufacturing and Logistics, Retail and Leisure, Rural Affairs, Personal Injury  – and Technology, Media and Communications. Moore Barlow will have 70 partners, as well as 272 lawyers and legal professionals such as legal support staff and paralegals, with a total staff of nearly 500 across the six UK offices. The firm will have a combined turnover of almost £40 million, putting it well within the roster of the UK’s top 100 law firms, said a statement. “In terms of clients, Moore Barlow will be focused primarily on meeting the needs of private individuals and families, owners and managers of fast-moving organisations and businesses – and people whose lives have been affected by serious accidents or negligence. “Each of these groups requires relationship-oriented legal advisors, who are dedicated to helping them find the best path through complex, difficult or stressful situations – a focus and approach which will set Moore Barlow apart in the marketplace. “At the heart of the firm’s proposition will be a singular focus on people, both when it comes to clients and the firm’s 500-strong workforce across the UK.” Managing partner of Moore Blatch, Ed Whittington, added:“There is a unique opportunity to bring together the absolute best of our two organisations – both outstanding firms with deep regional roots, strong areas of specialism and dedicated teams of exceptional talent. “By combining our respective and highly complementary areas of expertise within a culture of excellence and support, we will be one of very few firms with the breadth, depth and resources to meet all the needs of our core client groups. “Moving forward with a clear vision and building on a shared set of values, Moore Barlow is poised to become a national leader in our chosen fields.” CEO of Barlow Robbins, Helen Goatley, said: “We feel strongly that the focus on people which lies at the heart of Moore Barlow will truly set us apart in the marketplace. “For clients looking for a relationship-led service, we offer a strong commitment to achieving better outcomes for people, whether they are individuals, families, managers, leaders or entrepreneurs – and particularly those encountering opportunity, challenge or life-altering circumstances. “Today’s top talent also want the right mix of a stimulating, rewarding career alongside a fulfilling work-life balance – an experience which we feel Moore Barlow will be uniquely suited to offer and from which our clients can only benefit.” The Law Support Group covers all areas of recruitment – from support staff to fee-earner level recruitment – for both regional and international banking and law firms here in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Our website is updated regularly and the latest legal support jobs – including lawyer jobs, legal assistant jobs, paralegal jobs, document reviewer jobs, legal secretary jobs and patent administrator jobs – are available online.

An SRA survey on disability has found that many people working in the legal profession are still reluctant to discuss their needs with employers. A survey of 3,000 legal firms also found examples of specific initiatives and approaches within individual firms, which are delivering positive outcomes for employees and clients alike. “According to our most recent statistics, three per cent of solicitors currently declare they have a disability – a figure virtually unchanged in the last ten years,” said the SRA. “This compares to figures released by the Government which estimate that thirteen per cent of the overall workforce in the UK have a disability.” Under reporting disability to employers involved concern that declaring a disability might suggest a lower level of competency, or there might be a lack of opportunities for staff to request reasonable adjustments within a supportive environment – as well as legal firms not having policies, practices and procedures in place to help disabled staff.  Good practice examples within the report focused on seven key areas – including culture, leadership, recruitment and making reasonable adjustments. Under each area the report provides general advice, top tips and case study examples from specific named firms. SRA Chief Executive Paul Philip said:  “It is important that people who need legal services have access to a profession that is diverse and inclusive. “We know that diverse businesses are better businesses, so wanted to find out more about what lies behind the apparent under-declaration of disabilities in the legal workforce. “Our new report also looks at what firms can do to promote a much more disability inclusive working environment, highlighting best practice.” As well as the 3,000 law firms surveyed about their policies and practices, the SRA also engaged directly with disability experts and disabled solicitors – and also conducted a review of existing published research on the topic of disability in the workplace. The report Promoting disability inclusion in law firms – setting out good practice is available online. The Law Support Group covers all areas of recruitment – from support staff to fee-earner level recruitment – for both regional and international banking and law firms here in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Our website is updated regularly and the latest legal support jobs – including lawyer jobs, legal assistant jobs, paralegal jobs, document reviewer jobs, legal secretary jobs and patent administrator jobs – are available online.