Specialist insurance firms Kennedys and Davies Lavery are set to merge, it was announced yesterday (18 June).

Under the terms of the tie-up, which is set to go live from 1 September, 2008, the combined practice will take on the Kennedys banner, boasting 110 partners and around 600 staff in total.

The combined firm will have seven offices in the UK – in the City, Manchester, Chelmsford, Birmingham, Maidstone, Cambridge and Belfast.

Kennedys senior partner Nick Thomas and chief executive Ric Martin will remain in their respective positions following the merger.

Kennedys' three London offices and Davies Lavery's sole City presence will come together under one roof at 25 Fenchurch Avenue in July. Lawyers at Davies Lavery's Chelmsford office will move into Kennedys' existing premises in the town.

Thomas commented: "This is an exciting move. There is such a strong affinity between our two firms, both culturally and strategically, and the opportunity in the insurance market at the moment means there is everything to play for."

Davies Lavery senior partner Trevor Davies added: "We have been approached by potential merger partners a number of times in recent years but this was the only approach that seriously excited us. Kennedys' international coverage adds a new dimension at a time when this is becoming more important to our business."

He added: "Moreover, the people at Kennedys think and act like we do more than any other firm we know – and they share our total dedication to this sector."