Epstein Becker plans to close 14-attorney office in Atlanta
Less than five years ago, Epstein Becker Green was adding to the attorney roster in its “fast-growing” Atlanta office, proudly proclaiming in a 2009 press release that it had brought in six lawyers from Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell.
But now a firm leader says Epstein Becker is planning to close the 14-attorney Atlanta office by the end of the year, calling it a money-losing operation over the last several years, Reuters reports.
Vice chairman Mark Lutes said the 258-attorney firm, which is known for its health care and labor and employment practice groups, had intended to expand its Atlanta real estate practice. However, that initiative stalled when the head of the real estate practice group moved to DLA Piper in 2011.
Lutes said some of the 14 lawyers in Atlanta may be able to continue practicing with the firm in another Epstein Becker office.
The firm closed its Dallas office in 2008 and its Miami office in 2010, but has added an Indianapolis office. Its total attorney roster was down by 17 lawyers between 2011 and 2012, according to American Lawyer figures.
Only two of the six Locke Lord Bissell lawyers named on the 2009 press release about the growth in the firm’s Atlanta office are currently listed on the firm’s website. The one remaining partner in the group could not immediately be reached by the ABA Journal for comment.
See also
ABAJournal.com (Dec. 2010): “Epstein Becker Miami Office to Close As Top Attorney Leads Lawyers & Staff to Duane Morris”
ABAJournal.com (May 2011): “14 Houston Lawyers Leap from Epstein Becker to Cozen O’Connor”
ABAJournal.com (May 2011): “7 More Lawyers Leap from Epstein Becker, This Time for San Fran Office of Crowell & Moring”
