Penningtons Solicitors and Dawsons Solicitors have finalised their merger, with the combined firm officially launching yesterday (1 May 2011).

The combined business will operate under the Penningtons name with the firm taking on the entirety of Dawsons' practice.

In total, more than 40 Dawsons staff have joined Penningtons, including seven partners, across its employment, litigation, private client and commercial and residential property practices.

The merger will increase the number of partners at the firm to 62 and bring overall headcount to 340.

Penningtons chief executive David Raine commented: "This move enables us to increase the size of several of our core practice areas in the London market place by joining with a firm which has a similar culture and service ethic to our own… The merger will further strengthen the growth which this year has led to an increase in firmwide turnover of nearly 10% to £24 million.

"We have used the dramatic downturn in the legal services market over the past two and a half years as an opportunity to enhance Penningtons' position across all the key areas of our business so that we are well placed to benefit from the upturn when it comes."

Dawsons managing partner Martin Codd said: "We are very pleased to be joining Penningtons. The alliance creates an excellent opportunity to offer clients of both firms an expanded capability across all our complementary teams…The move will also bring substantial operational benefits in terms of property and overhead costs that will again allow us to enhance our overall service."

Lincoln's Inn firm Dawsons also held talks regarding a potential tie-up with London firm Fladgate last year, although the discussions ultimately fell through.

The news comes as Penningtons also acquired three-partner City practice Wedlake Saint last month (6 April).