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Reed Smith to merge with London-based Richards Butler

Reed Smith, the East Bay's largest law firm, and Richards Butler, a 250-attorney London-based practice, have announced plans to complete a full merger by January 1, 2007.

The transaction is currently subject to negotiations and votes by both firms' partners and is expected to be completed by late May. The new firm will be called Reed Smith in the U.S. and Reed Smith Richards Butler throughout most of Europe.

The proposed merger will provide Reed Smith with strong practices in corporate transactions, commercial litigation and arbitration, transportation, media, real estate, employment law and business immigration. Reed Smith chairman Gregory B. Jordan will act as the firmwide managing partner. Roger Parker of Richards Butler is expected to join the senior management team and will take on the role of European managing partner for the merged entity.

The new firm will consist of more than 1,300 lawyers. Reed Smith's London presence will total almost 300 attorneys with global revenues expected to reach $725 million. The firm will also benefit from access to the Piraeus, Abu Dhabi and Greek legal markets.

Pittsburgh-based Reed Smith first entered the London market in 2001 by merging with Warner Cranston and also has offices in Paris and Munich.

04-07-2006

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CAFTA to create more work for law firms

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is expected to generate an additional $2.5 billion in annual sales in California by 2014, thus creating the 10th largest U.S. export market.

The deal was signed last year between the U.S. and five Central American countries. Costa Rica has not yet sanctioned the treaty.

As barriers to trade and investments break down, lawyers in California and Central America are anticipating more legal work, generated between the U.S. and its southern neighbors. With the new trade pact, foreign companies are expected to build more factories in Central America, export more products to the U.S. and negotiate more contracts. This will create new work in the areas of arbitration, corporate, contracts and tax law. Firms specializing in international trade and lawyers with multi-lingual skills are likely to lead the way.

04-07-2006

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Small firms vs. Big law

A significant majority of all law firms employ only one to ten attorneys according to a survey of small firms conducted by The American Bar Association.

Solo practice and small firms offer significant advantages, including flexibility in case and client selection, office hours and workload. For lawyers wanting to work part time, solo practice or small firms present the perfect alternative to big law. While 95% of law firms have policies for part-time work, only 3% of their lawyers actually work part time.

Even though solo practitioners and small law firms constitute such a large part of the legal market, there is little training and mentoring in the field. Significant start-up costs and smaller profits are deterrents to this career path. According to a study, 86% of law students claimed that upon graduation they would prefer big law practice.

04-07-2006

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Top-20 Dallas firms gain some, lose some in 2005

A recent study by the American Bar Association Market Research Department reveals that among the top-20 Dallas/Fort Worth firms, 12 increased their overall lawyer count, while six lost attorneys.

Jones Day added the highest number of local lawyers, while Hughes & Luce saw the greatest decline losing almost 13% of its workforce in the area. Jenkens & Gilchrist continued a trend from 2004 by shedding 6.5% of its lawyers.

Dallas/Fort Worth firms also disclosed their 2005 revenues this week. 10 firms saw big gains while two saw declines. The combined revenue rose slightly, from $2.48 billion in 2004 to $2.52 billion in 2005.

04-06-2006

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Littler Mendelson looks to the Far East

With its client base expanding globally, Littler Mendelson has added offices in Shanghai and Bangalore.

The employment and labor boutique opened a three-person Shanghai office last month. A new Bangalore office is expected to open in October, where the firm plans to focus on U.S.-bound immigration.

In China, the 400-lawyer firm is handling various global immigration matters and assisting multinational corporations with moving to the region. Once established, it also plans to address issues such as medical exams and police department registration.

04-06-2006

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Meyers Nave to open in LA

Oakland, CA-based Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver & Wilson is opening a new Los Angeles office.

Joining the office is John Harris, chairman of the environmental/oil and gas department at Richards Watson & Gershon. Meyers Nave currently serves 30 local governments, more than any other firm in the state. It represents more than 135 towns and cities throughout California, 20 county governments, 50 redevelopment agencies and various other public entities, including the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Los Angeles.

Three years ago, the firm tried to make its way into the Southern California market but couldn't find the right attorneys. It then turned its attention to Sacramento, where it gained success and now has 10 attorneys that plan to move into a larger office by July.

04-06-2006

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Fowler White in merger with Robison & Folk

Fowler White Boggs Banker has merged with Robison & Folk in Boca Raton, Florida. The merger is part of Fowler White's strategic approach to growing its statewide healthcare practice and expanding its presence in Southeast Florida.

For more than 10 years, Robison & Folk has focused its practice on healthcare transactions and will continue to do so from their Boca Raton office until a new office space is opened in Ft. Lauderdale. Fowler White Boggs Banker has more than 230 attorneys in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ft. Myers, Tallahassee, Orlando, Naples, West Palm Beach, Bonita Springs, Jacksonville and Boca Raton.

04-06-2006

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