Thames Valley: Blandy & Blandy LLP acquires Clarkslegal LLP’s private client business

Leading Thames Valley law firm Blandy & Blandy LLP,  which has offices in Reading, Henley-on-Thames and London, has announced the acquisition of Clarkslegal LLP’s private client business.

The move further reinforces Blandy & Blandy’s position as one of the leading firms advising individuals and families in the south of England. With a growing team of two partners and 12 solicitors and advisers, Blandy & Blandy’s private client team is also one of the largest and longest established in the region.

The firm’s expertise includes advising on wills and estate planning, tax and trusts, probate, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection and capacity matters.

Commercially, Blandy & Blandy provides a comprehensive range of legal services to clients ranging from UK subsidiaries of multinational companies, through to SMEs and owner-managed businesses, charities and educational institutions, landowners and developers, banks and lenders and venue and event operators.

According to leading independent legal directory Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2017, Blandy & Blandy is the only top tier ranked firm advising on ‘private wealth law’ in Reading and the surrounding area while the firm is also highly recommend in The Legal 500.

Joint managing partner and team head Jonathan Gater is described as a "stand-out operator", while fellow partner Caroline Casagranda is praised for her expertise and approachability. Blandy & Blandy is acknowledged as an “established firm” with a “strong team” and credited for the “excellent” advice and client experience it provides.

Blandy & Blandy’s continued growth and success has seen the firm feature in the Thames Valley SME 100 Growth Index, an annual listing of the region’s fast-growing small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2016 Blandy & Blandy LLP acquired the business of Henley-on-Thames firm Collins Dryland & Thorowgood LLP.

Joint managing partner and team head Jonathan Gater said: “Following our expansion into Henley-on-Thames and as we mark our 285^th anniversary this year, we are delighted at this opportunity to continue our growth and to further demonstrate our strong position in both Reading and Henley-on-Thames, as well as the wider Thames Valley region.

We are currently writing to clients to share this exciting news and look forward to offering our new clients the same high standards of excellence.”

Clarkslegal LLP, which recently relocated to Thames Tower, will continue to refer any private client work to Blandy & Blandy LLP following a decision to continue to specialise in its other practice areas.