Saul Ewing and Arnstein & Lehr confirm merger talks; must smaller firms 'grow or die'?
Philadelphia-based Saul Ewing and Chicago-based Arnstein & Lehr have confirmed they are in merger talks.
The combination would create a law firm with more than 400 lawyers, the Legal Intelligencer (sub req.) reports.
Saul Ewing would gain offices in Chicago and Florida through the merger with Arnstein & Lehr, which has about 140 lawyers.
The Legal Intelligencer broke news of the talks, which were also confirmed by a Saul Ewing spokesperson who responded to an email by the ABA Journal. “Saul Ewing and Arnstein & Lehr confirm that they are engaged in discussions about a potential combination,” the spokesperson said. “Both firms will continue discussions and will share more if and when it is appropriate.”
Frank D’Amore of Attorney Career Catalysts told the Legal Intelligencer that the merger makes sense because firms with 400 to 600 lawyers are more competitive on rates and can offer more services.
“Because of relatively flat demand for legal services, the reality is right now it’s grow or die,” D’Amore said. “One day the music is going to stop and not every firm is going to have a chair to sit in.”
