13 U.S. law-firm mergers in 3rd quarter
Headline News
There were 13 law firm mergers during the third quarter of this year, up from seven deals recorded during the second quarter, according to a new report from Altman Weil Inc.
Most of the quarter's mergers were tiny acquisitions, reflecting "the continuing caution of law firms in response to the recent economic turmoil," said Bill Brennan, principal of Altman Weil.
The meatiest deal reported was Boston-based Bingham McCutchen’s acquisition of McKee Nelson, a 120-lawyer firm with offices in Washington and New York. The merge formed a 1,100-lawyer firm called Bingham McCutchen LLP.
Also during the quarter, Washington-based Howrey LLP acquired Day Casebeer Madrid and Batchelder, a Silicon Valley intellectual property boutique.
While those two deals involved large firms, eight of the quarter’s 13 deals were all small regional combinations. Brennan explains that law firms are not looking to assume the risks inherent with big mergers right now and are instead scooping up small firms or groups of lateral partners with portable business.
There were 25 law firm mergers and acquisitions reported in the first quarter of 2009.
Related listings
-
Senate confirms Durkan as U.S. Attorney
Headline News 09/30/2009The U.S. Senate, without opposition, on Tuesday night confirmed Seattle attorney Jenny Durkan as U.S. attorney for Western Washington, the Northwest's most important job in federal law enforcement."She will do a great job and make us very proud in th...
-
Law firm Polsinelli Shughart completes move to LoDo
Headline News 09/29/2009Polsinelli Shughart PC has completed its move to Lower Downtown Denver, the firm announced Monday in a letter to clients.Effective Monday, the law firm is now located the newly built 1515 Wynkoop office building in the LoDo Historic District. Before,...
-
Lawyers: Chinese drywall makers may ignore suits
Headline News 09/28/2009Lawyers for homeowners and homebuilders who used drywall suspected of causing corrosion and possible health risks say they expect Chinese manufacturers to ignore hundreds of lawsuits filed against them.So, who's going to be on the hook for any court-...
Grounds for Divorce in Ohio - Sylkatis Law, LLC
A divorce in Ohio is filed when there is typically “fault” by one of the parties and party not at “fault” seeks to end the marriage. A court in Ohio may grant a divorce for the following reasons:
• Willful absence of the adverse party for one year
• Adultery
• Extreme cruelty
• Fraudulent contract
• Any gross neglect of duty
• Habitual drunkenness
• Imprisonment in a correctional institution at the time of filing the complaint
• Procurement of a divorce outside this state by the other party
Additionally, there are two “no-fault” basis for which a court may grant a divorce:
• When the parties have, without interruption for one year, lived separate and apart without cohabitation
• Incompatibility, unless denied by either party
However, whether or not the the court grants the divorce for “fault” or not, in Ohio the party not at “fault” will not get a bigger slice of the marital property.