West End of London firm Seddons and Lawrence Stephens, a commercial law firm based in Farringdon, are in the closing stages of merger talks. The combination will create a full-service firm of over 180 people with £25m annual turnover. The merger is expected to complete in October and the combined firm will move to new London premises.

Seddons, a top-200 law firm based in Portman Square, specialises in real estate, corporate, dispute resolution, private client and family law. Lawrence Stephens specialises in real estate, banking, corporate and commercial, and commercial litigation.

Simon Ross

Seddons managing partner Simon Ross

On completion, the firm will aim to boost turnover to £30m and enter the top 100. The senior directors of Lawrence Stephens will become equity partners in the LLP, creating a combined partnership of 13 equity partners and 37 fixed-share partners.

Simon Ross, managing partner of Seddons, said: 'The merger strengthens our joint firms’ core departments and adds areas of specialism to benefit both of our existing client bases. It provides the perfect platform for future growth.'

The name of the combined firm and its new office location will be disclosed ahead of the merger’s completion.