Mourant and Ozannes set for offshore merger

Mourant du Feu & Jeune and Ozannes are set to merge, in a deal that will create one of the largest firms in the offshore legal market.

The deal will go live on 1 May and will be structured as a full economic merger of the two firms' existing businesses, subject to regulatory approval. The new firm will take the name Mourant Ozannes and will house around 200 fee earners and 50 partners.

The combined firm will have offices in the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and London, with the new partnership set to be run by a management committee comprising individuals from both firms.

Mourant managing partner Jonathan Rigby will take on the group managing partner post, Ozannes senior partner Peter Ferbrache will become senior partner of the merged firm, with Mourant chairman Ian James holding the same role for the combined firm.

Ozannes managing partner Robert Shepherd will take up a position as managing partner of the combined firm's Guernsey office.

He said: "There are many synergies between the firms in terms of focus, structure, culture and talented people, and by combining our market leading offering we endeavour to become the most sought after offshore law firm for clients and staff."

Rigby commented: "We have always had enormous respect for Ozannes and we regard them as the leading law firm in Guernsey. The opportunity to combine premier practices in Jersey and Guernsey was too good to miss."

News of the merger comes after offshore rival Appleby announced that it will launch an office in Guernsey this spring with the hire of four associates from Ozannes who are joining the partnership at Appleby.