The wife of Jim Ward, the solicitor who died after being shot in his office in Devizes, is merging their company with law firm Wansbroughs.

Mr Ward and his wife, Nicky Morris, founded Morris Goddard and Ward with Francis Goddard in 1988 in St John’s Street. The firm was renamed MGW Law in 2008.

On July 2 last year, Mr Ward, 58, was shot in his office and died at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol nearly three weeks later.

Miss Morris, principal solicitor at MGW Law, said: “Jim’s death was a huge loss to our small firm; he is irreplaceable. Our merger with Wansbroughs presents the very best deal for both MGW Law and its clients.”

Miss Morris, a residential conveyancing specialist, and her colleague at MGW Law, Nicola Grosvenor, a matrimonial law expert, will join Wansbroughs as associates, while personal injury lawyer Jayne Bertie will also join the team.

MGW Law’s three support staff will also relocate to Wansbrough’s offices in Devizes and Melksham. There will be no redundancies at either firm as a result of the merger, which is due to take place tomorrow.

Miss Morris said: “We are delighted to be joining Wansbroughs, a firm that shares our values and high professional standards, and with whom we have enjoyed an excellent relationship for a number of years.

“The merger creates a win-win situation for our clients, who will continue to enjoy the personal relationships with their solicitors, while at the same time gaining access to a whole range of legal services.”

Stuart McGregor-Johnson, chairman of Wansbroughs, said: “The merger with MGW Law will bring complementary services and further professional expertise to Wansbroughs. In particular, the deal will strengthen our matrimonial team in Devizes.

“There is a longstanding relationship between the two firms, and we are delighted to be able to strengthen the ties, for the benefit of the clients of both firms.”

Wansbroughs, which has had a Devizes office since 1905, has 18 partners and more than 90 staff in Devizes, Melksham, Swindon and Bristol providing a range of legal services in areas including commercial property, business and corporate, employment and HR.

n Michael Chudley, 63, formerly of Rowde, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jim Ward and his trial is due to begin on June 4 at Salisbury Crown Court.