Lavan’s managing partner, Greg Gaunt, announced the merger with Maxim Litigation Consultants on Wednesday (8 February), with the principals and staff of Maxim to join Lavan from 2 April 2012.

“We believe that the integration of the Maxim team with Lavan Legal will create a formidable legal force in the Western Australian corporate, commercial, mining, energy and resources sectors,” said Gaunt.

“Maxim was a logical choice for us. [They] share common values and a common commitment to WA … In speaking with [Maxim principal] Kevin Stewart, it was clear that he also shares our view that there is a continuing need and opportunity for an independent, WA-based, full-service legal firm in this market.”

Stewart said there was a “certain logical inevitability” to the tie-up. “Lavan Legal stood out as the only large firm with an ethos and ambition similar to our own,” he said.

Maxim was created in 2004 following a branching of the commercial and litigation arms of Pullinger Readhead Stewart. The firm currently has four principals, an in-house counsel, two consultants and four lawyers.

Lavan Legal was created in 2006 when the majority of the Perth partners of Phillips Fox saw a niche in the market. The firm has 21 partners.