Manchester law firm Glaisyers Solicitors has taken on all the staff of a fellow firm in the city.

All 26 staff, including partners, have joined from Fruhman Davies Livingstones.

FDL was founded nearly 40 years ago and will cease to exist as a result of the arrangement.

Founding partners Steven Fruhman and Jonathan Davies have joined Glaisyers as consultants and Malcolm Abel and Martyn Caplan have joined as partners.

Nick Johnson, joint managing partner at Glaisyers Solicitors added: “This is an exciting move for both firms and we are delighted to welcome Harvey and his colleagues to Glaisyers.

“From the outset it was clear we had a shared vision to provide quality legal solutions to SMEs, individuals and families across the region.

"Our new arrivals will complement and enhance Glaisyers in a number of key areas such as private client, residential and commercial property, company commercial and employment – it’s a great opportunity for all of us.”

Initially, former FDL staff will operate at its existing premises, at Blackfriars House.

Next year, it is expected that staff will eventually be housed together at Glaisyers' One St James’ Square base.

The deal sees it become an 11-partner firm with around 80 staff. It was a solvent transaction. The firm is hoping to grow to £10m turnover within the next five years.

Harvey Cohen, previously of FDL, has joined Glaisyers as joint managing partner.

He said: “Glaisyers is an excellent fit for us and joining the two firms is the right thing to do. The two firms have always shared a ‘clients first and always’ philosophy so together, I believe that we will be able to deliver an even better service and provide yet more creative and effective solutions in all types of commercial matters."

Mr Johnson added: “The legal landscape continues to change rapidly but we have a clear growth plan.

“Consolidation in the marketplace continues apace and we are always interested in more firms joining in our success and recruiting real talent to help us grow further.

“Our philosophy continues to be that our clients come first and see us as being big enough to trust and small enough to care.”