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Law Firm Mergers

By Allan Colman
March 17, 2014

When larger firms move into a new market by merging with a smaller, local firm, increased billing rates often cause the small firm's long-term clients to seek more affordable counsel. When large firms merge with large firms, client conflicts are often the major concern and become the most common 'given' reason for a proposed merger's failure.

One critical point often overlooked in merger discussions is how the same practice areas for both firms merge, both in practice and business development. This should be clearly resolved and decided before the merger, to prevent further client defections and partner departures.

When larger firms move into a new market by merging with a smaller, local firm, increased billing rates often cause the small firm's long-term clients to seek more affordable counsel. When large firms merge with large firms, client conflicts are often the major concern and become the most common 'given' reason for a proposed merger's failure.

One critical point often overlooked in merger discussions is how the same practice areas for both firms merge, both in practice and business development. This should be clearly resolved and decided before the merger, to prevent further client defections and partner departures.

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