Lots of New Law Firm Offices, But Not in N.Y. or Overseas
Dozens of expanding U.S. law firms have opened new offices this year, but generally not in New York or abroad.
Instead they have established a presence in new American cities on the West Coast, in the Midwest and in the South, reports the National Law Journal, in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer (reg. req.).
Chicago’s 263-attorney Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, for instance, now practices as well in San Diego. And 847-attorney Bryan Cave, which is based in St. Louis, added a third California office, in San Francisco.
Much of the expansion this year is by regional or “superregional” law firms that already have a presence in New York and Washington, says legal consultant Ward Bower of Altman Weil. Although many law firms have been daunted by the struggling economy, some see opportunities to acquire small firms and lateral hires. Growth in Europe, though, is particularly slow, because of the U.S. dollar’s low exchange rate.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Husch Blackwell Sanders Grows Again, Will Merge With Chicago IP Boutique”
