Ashfords Solicitors has expanded its London presence through a merger with 34-lawyer firm Rochman Landau, in the latest example of consolidation in the UK legal market

The tie-up, which went live last week (29 February), has seen Rochman's 50 London staff join Ashfords, giving the combined firm a total headcount of more than 450 staff in six offices across the south of England.

The combined firm, will operate under the Ashfords brand, will have total turnover of around £30m, placing it just outside of the UK top 75 law firms by revenue.

Ashfords chief executive Ian Daniells will continue to head the merged operation. Prior to the merger, 12-partner Rochman Landau had a turnover of £5m but the firm said the tie-up will see the London operation grow significantly following the combination.

Ashfords, which previously had just a handful of London staff, will now move into Rochman's Baker Street office.

Paul Dunbar, who headed Rochman Landau's property team and is now a board member of the combined firm, said: "The firm will grow considerably in London. We see great opportunities to grow here to service existing clients of both firms, not least including the needs of our overseas client base requiring advice in London."

The firm, which also has offices in Exeter, Bristol, Plymouth, Taunton and Tiverton,  will now target areas including corporate and commercial, private client and international family law with an offshore element. It is not planning to open offices abroad but will continue to work with a network of international firms including offshore firms.

The merger comes after Ashfords was created through the demerger from Bevan Ashford in 2004 to form Bevan Brittan and Ashfords Solicitors.