Administrators have moved in to handle the affairs of the London branch of a major US firm following its abrupt closure last month.

Joint administrators from insolvency firm Quantuma were brought in last week to handle the affairs of Armstrong Teasdale Ltd, the UK-based operation of St Louis-headquartered Armstrong Teasdale.

Quantuma said that 57 people had been employed by the firm in London. Most have found employment in other firms and have already left to take up new roles. The remaining staff were made redundant, with a couple of employees retained by the joint administrators to help with the administration process.

Quantuma managing director and joint administrator, Sean Bucknall said: ‘The UK operations of Armstrong Teasdale had, until more recently, been profitable and a strong addition to the wider Armstrong Teasdale business within the US. However, a series of well-documented senior team departures severely compromised the UK firm’s ability to trade profitably and has resulted in the requirement to compliantly wind down the UK’s operations.’

It is understood that the firm and administrators have liaised with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to ensure the closing down process meets regulatory requirements.

Samantha Palmer, partner at London firm Child & Child, has advised the joint administrators on regulatory matters and has subsequently been appointed as solicitor manager to protect clients’ interests.

A notice on the Armstrong Teasdale Ltd website states that all client files have been transferred to other SRA-regulated firms. Clients are advised that their new firm will be in direct contact, although they are free to instruct any other solicitor of their choice.

All wills, deeds and other valuable documents are being transferred in accordance with clients’ instructions to alternative law firms as part of the managed wind down. All client monies are securely held and are not affected by the administration.

Armstrong Teasdale expanded its international footprint with its first office outside of the US in 2021 through the acquisition of London firm Kerman Legal Services Limited. Staff moved into prestige new premises, in the refurbished Royal College of Surgeons building by Lincoln’s Inn Fields, in 2022.

But its imminent closure became known in August when the City of London Law Society said it had been approached for help in placing 10 trainees and future trainees with other firms. Staff were then told last month they were being made redundant with one day’s notice.

Quantuma has carved out a reputation for stepping in to handle law firm administrations. In recent years it has handled the affairs of McMillan Williams, Davenport Lyons and Roberts Jackson.

 

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