Brisbane is set to become home to another national firm as speculation mounts around Middletons heading to the sunshine state.

A source within the firm has confirmed to ALB that Middletons is in discussions with a Brisbane-based firm about a merger. “It's likely it's happen in the next three months,” the source said. 

Middletons merged with Perth-based Salter Power and Franklyn Legal three years ago in order to establish its Perth presence. The use of a merger to enter the Perth market has since become a well-trodden path for firms such as Gilbert + Tobin, Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance.

Henry Davis York, Thomsons Lawyers and Macpherson + Kelley have all opened offices in Brisbane in the past 13 months, proving that there is still appetite in the state for legal growth. The entry into Brisbane is expected within the first half of the year.