The announcement was made earlier on Thursday, 11 March, with AFL merging and acquiring 100 per cent of the shares of Watts McCray Pty Ltd. The deal is set to be finalised next month.

Speaking about the acquisition, AFL executive chairman Grant Dearlove (pictured) said it is “another decisive step” in the growth of the national firm.

“As the first specialist family law firm in history to have a presence in every mainland capital city, the merger with Watts McCray strengthens our offering in Australia’s largest legal market in New South Wales,” he proclaimed.

“Combining our innovative client acquisition model and NewLaw practice with the pedigree, brand, and legal skill of Watts McCray will create a powerhouse firm in family law. Australians can look forward to a new era of service delivery in the complex family law space.”

The transaction has been welcomed by Watts McCray managing director Jackie Vincent, who is set to become the chief legal officer of the merged entity.

“We have watched the success of AFL and how it has successfully disrupted the family law market and grown its national footprint since listing on the ASX. AFL has undertaken what Watts McCray has aspired to do for many years in a short space of time,” she said.

“We share the vision and values of AFL and with our business offering refined over 40 years, we consider that our merged businesses will capture greater market share by offering Australians new ways in retaining and receiving the best family law service.”

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The Watts McCray brand will continue to be used in NSW, and AFL said there will be no redundancies. To change brands, Mr Dearlove noted, would be a mistake.

“Watts McCray is unique, with significant brand equity in the New South Wales market and we know that our people are our most important assets. The brand, people and knowledge are here to stay,” he submitted.

“This is a true merger in the sense that we share values and are like minded, with the same passion to help Australians in need of family and relationship law advice. We believe the strength of each business will complement each other, that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This will support our fanatical client focus.

“The vendors of Watts McCray will continue to work in the business as key leaders.

“Their election to accept 50 per cent of the total consideration in shares in the Company is symbolic of their desire and motivation to grow the combined Company for the benefit and alignment of all shareholders.” 

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