Polsinelli to acquire 'vast majority' of lawyers and staffers from Novak Druce
Polsinelli has approved the acquisition of a substantial number of lawyers from the intellectual property boutique Novak Druce Connolly Bove & Quigg.
Those joining Polsinelli include top management at Novak Druce, which currently has about 80 lawyers, the Am Law Daily (sub. req.) reports. The exact number making the move hasn’t been determined, but Novak Druce partner Q. Todd Dickinson told the publication that “the vast majority of lawyers and staff will be combining with Polsinelli.” Novak Druce currently has about 80 lawyers.
Polsinelli, which currently has about 720 lawyers, will gain offices in Houston and Boston as a result of the acquisition.
Polsinelli chairman and CEO R. Russell Welsh confirmed the acquisition in an interview with the Am Law Daily. “We have a robust IP practice, and this just enhances it,” he said. Polsinelli currently has about 60 IP lawyers and 20 IP litigators. Novak Druce has a strong practice in post-grant patent reviews, which is a growing area, Welsh said.
Novak Druce had 140 lawyers when it was formed as a result of a merger in 2012. Since then, it has “lost a stream of partners to competitors,” according to the Am Law Daily article.
Law360 (sub. req.) had a story on the planned acquisition before the partnership vote Thursday.
