Heller Ehrman Now Talking About Merger With Mayer Brown

Only a few weeks ago, it looked like Heller Ehrman might merge with Baker & McKenzie.

But after that wedding plan went awry the firm hasn't stopped looking for another marriage partner, reports the Am Law Daily, relying on unnamed sources. "Heller is aggressively pursuing other merger options, of which the most promising is a combination with Chicago-based Mayer Brown."

Although concern about potential conflicts between the two law firms' insurance coverage practices derailed talk of a possible merger earlier this year, one source says that the issue could be resolved by excluding from any merger those involved in Heller Ehrman's insurance recovery practice, the law blog reports.

"Heller's management," the post says, "has actively sought a merger in recent months to shore up the firm, which lost as many as 25 partners and missed budget projections by 15 percent in 2007."

Heller Ehrman, which has about 650 lawyers, is headquartered in San Francisco. Chicago-based Mayer Brown has 1,800 lawyers on its worldwide attorney roster.

Related coverage:

American Lawyer: "Heller Ehrman, Mayer Brown in Merger Talks"

ABAJournal.com: "Conflicts End Talk of Heller Ehrman Merger With Baker & McKenzie"

ABAJournal.com: "Heller Ehrman Latest Law Firm to Push Back Associate Start Dates"

Updated at 6:40 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2008, to add link to subsequent American Lawyer article and clarify that Mayer Brown has 1,800 attorneys.