In a statement released Wednesday (17 November) Gadens said the merger process will take place over the coming months in time for its expected completion on 1 February 2011. The merged entity will be known as Gadens Lawyers.

Maunsell Pennington has a property, building and construction and commercial law focus, which Gadens Brisbane chairman Paul Spiro said will fit comfortably with Gadens' niche in the mid market transactional work space.

"We believe the synergies created by the merger will make us a more formidable force in the Queensland legal market", he said.

Maunsell Pennington managing partner David Maunsell said the move will create new opportunities for both clients and staff. "We can create opportunities for our people to grow and prosper and we can act for more clients and bigger clients," he said.

Maunsell Pennington has around nine legal staff including partners, lawyers and consultants. They will join Gadens' existing premises in the Brisbane CBD.