The scene... the coffee shop at the British Museum, London WC1

“Well I have a very good feeling that we can make this work!” exclaimed Rob looking Natasha straight in the eyes.

“I admire your confidence” Natasha replied, with gaze slightly averted towards the striking totem pole they were sitting beside, “but my people will need a lot more detail and a fair bit of persuading I suspect.”

“Of course, of course …. but we can both see the really fantastic opportunity here, can’t we?”

It had been twenty years since they vaguely knew each other at the College of Law in Chester and six years since they found themselves sitting next to each at that painfully dull CPD training event in Birmingham. Natasha thought it was a property law update – Rob hadn’t a clue. Then two months ago their firms were on opposite sides of the Mermaid Hotel and Spa transaction. And now after a succession of cappuccinos and espressos, it seemed that they were planning a merger between Forbes, Frobisher & Styles and LB Law.

Back in the summer, in the seven days since they had set up this meeting, the world seemed to have turned upside down. The UK had voted leave, David Cameron had resigned, Theresa May had become PM and England had lost to Iceland. They were both surprised by one of those events - although not the same one. 

For Natasha setting up LB Law (a lingering thought remained – was LB Law a name people would take seriously?) had been the most important and exciting moment in an interesting professional career. Starting a new firm in Leighton Buzzard, being with admired and trusted colleagues, ditching the baggage of the old firm where three of them had been before and creating what they still genuinely believed was a new and better style of firm …. might all this be being put at risk ?

“At last,” thought Rob “we can stop banging on about our 150 year history and start looking ahead”

They said their goodbyes on the steps leading down from the museum.

“So we’ll speak again in the next few days?” asked Rob hopefully. “Let’s make it Thursday” Natasha replied.

As they walked away Rob thought to himself “She really is impressive – it would be great to work with her”. Natasha reflected “Yes, I think I admire and trust him too.”

Have your say

Is this a good starting point for a potential merger?

What should happen next?

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