Law Firms
Conflicts End Talk of Heller Ehrman Merger With Baker & McKenzie
Posted Aug 12, 2008, 09:45 am CST
By Martha Neil
Merger talks between 650-lawyer Heller Ehrman and megafirm Baker & McKenzie have reportedly ended, primarily over client conflicts.
But Heller Ehrman may have other irons in the fire. "In a voice mail sent to partners on Monday morning, Heller chairman Matthew Larrabee ... said there was an alternative plan in the works and promised to be more communicative," the Recorder reported.
The firm needs to do something, observers say: 30 partners have left this year, including the managing partner of Heller's Washington, D.C., office, Geoff Aronow, who joined Bingham McCutchen last week.
Heller Ehrman isn't the only firm dealing with this issue: Chicago-based Bell Boyd & Lloyd is also losing attorneys, as it considers whether—and with whom—to merge, reports the National Law Journal (sub. req.). Bell Boyd reportedly talked during the past year with Alston & Bird and Hunton & Williams, but hasn't yet found a merger partner that is a good fit.
Additional coverage:
The Lawyer: "Bingham raids Heller for DC regulatory push"
ABAJournal.com: "Are Heller Ehrman and Baker & McKenzie Discussing a Merger?"
ABAJournal.com: "Heller Rewards Rainmakers, But Some Storm Away"