Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld are engaged in discussion to merge and form an 1,800 attorney firm. A spokeswoman for Akin Gump confirmed the talks, saying that the firms are “in exploratory discussions regarding the possibility of a merger.” Orrick confirmed the talks as well, saying though a spokesman that the firm “have held preliminary discussions about the possibility of a merger … “[but] it is premature and inappropriate to speak publicly in any detail about the process.”
Orrick has sought for a number of years to merge with another large firm, but many such deals have never materialized. Orrick did complete a merger with Hölters & Elsing in 2008. According to reports, Orrick has engaged in merger talks with Coudert Brothers, Cooley Godward, Venture Law Group, Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine, Swidler Berlin Shereff & Friedman and Dewey & LeBoeuf (then Dewey Ballantine).
There has been a lot of recent activity and interest with regard to law firm mergers. Activity has clearly picked up after a major drop-off due to the economic crisis. Paula Alvary, a principal with Hoffman Alvary, who consults on law firm mergers, says that there is definitely a shift taking place. “…a number of pairs of firms in which both are U.S.-based have either initiated or resumed discussions that have been tabled during the worst parts of the recession.”
Related Resources:
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- Detroit Juror Posts Premature Guilty Verdict on Facebook (FindLaw’s Strategist)
- What Law Grads Should Know About FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory (FindLaw’s Greedy Associates)
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