Top-200 US firm Armstrong Teasdale is to close its London office ‘imminently’ barely three years after arriving in the UK with the acquisition of London firm Kerman & Co. The closure potentially puts more than 50 roles at risk – including those of 10 trainees.
The City of London Law Society wrote to members yesterday asking for help in finding the trainees new placements. Four of the trainees are about to qualify next month, two next year and four to join (two next week). ‘This situation has come to light only very recently and is now urgent,’ chair Colin Passmore wrote. ‘We have some information on these futuree solicitors and are reassured they would be strong candidates.’
Armstrong Teasdale, founded in 1901, has expanded rapidly internationally, opening eight offices around the world between 2018 and 2021. It announced the acquisition of Kerman & Co, founded by Anthony Kerman, in 2021. The London firm moved into prestige new premises, in the refurbished Royal College of Surgeons building by Lincoln’s Inn Fields (pictured above), the following year.
At the time, it said the move would put the firm in a position to take advantage of ‘tremendous growth opportunities in London’.
In his letter, Passmore said that Armstrong Teasdale had contacted the chair of the City of London Law Society’s training committee about the closure. He reminded members that last summer, the society was among those that stepped up to help Ince & Co trainees as that firm imploded. ‘We hope for a similar outcome this time,’ he said.
Armstrong Teasdale has been approached for comment.
