Firm mergers at highest number since 2009

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U.S. law firm mergers in the first quarter of this year hit a four-year high, Altman Weil Inc. announced Thursday. Twenty-one firms announced mergers and acquisitions, with most deals involving acquisitions of small law firms.

No Indiana-based firms made any combination moves so far this year based on data from Altman Weil.

“U.S. law firms continue to grow, primarily through targeted acquisitions,” Altman Weil principal Ward Bower said in a release. “Firms are picking up specialty practices, expanding in strong markets and adding offices in new cities.”

Two Detroit-based firms announced mergers with firms in Pittsburgh and Phoenix. The combinations were spread across the country and included seven multi-regional combinations.

There were also seven law firm mergers and acquisitions announced at the end of last year that were finalized in the first quarter of 2013. For comparison, there were 14 law firm mergers and acquisitions announced in the first quarter of 2012 and 11 reported at the end of 2011 that took effect in the 2012 first quarter. Those included five Indiana-based firms: Ice Miller LLP, which merged with Columbus, Ohio-based Schottenstein Zox & Dunn; Bingham McHale, which merged with Louisville-based Greenebaum Doll & McDonald to become Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP; Evansville firm Kahn Dees Donovan & Kahn, which merged with Evansville firm Lavallo & Frank; and Baker & Daniels, which became Faegre Baker Daniels LLP after merging with Minneapolis-based Faegre & Benson.

 

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