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IN A move to expand its service offering, corporate expert Rouse Lawyers has announced it will be joining forces with business law and franchising expert Bywaters Timms early next month.
The merger, set to grow the business to 14 lawyers and 22 staff, aligns the core values of both firms, according to firm founder Matthew Rouse.
"This is a strategic alliance between the two firms that have synergy of key practice areas such as commercial, franchising, property and estate planning," says Rouse.
"The core values of excellent service, practical advice with top-tier results and true value for clients will continue to be the cornerstones of the merged practice moving forward."
Janice Bywaters, of Bywaters Timms, will lead a new specialist franchise and commercial practice team, with the firm also enhancing its property, IP, technology employment and tax departments.
"For Bywaters Timms clients it will mean availability of expanded services including a dedicated estate planning section, employment law and litigation departments," says Rouse.
"This is an exciting time for both firms and we look forward to continuing to be an essential part of our clients' team into the future, providing them timely and up-to-date legal advice."
The firm will be known as Rouse Lawyers incorporating Bywaters Timms for six months when the name will revert to Rouse Lawyers, with all existing personnel setting up shop at Rouse's current Newstead premises.
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