In an effort to increase their footprints throughout the US, Biglaw companies have been raiding midsize companies within the Southeast to open new workplaces and fortify particular observe teams. Morris Manning & Martin — a well-regarded Am Regulation 200 agency that introduced in $157,946,000 gross income final yr — was so exhausting hit by these practices that it misplaced a couple of third of its attorneys (about 60) to companies like Fox Rothschild, Clark Hill, Reed Smith, Bradley Arant, and Gunderson Dettmer, and Seyfarth Shaw. Earlier this summer season, the agency had entered into merger talks with an Am Regulation 100 agency, and now, its beforehand unnamed merger accomplice has been revealed.
As famous by the American Lawyer, Morris Manning is planning to merge with Taft Stettinius & Hollister — a agency that introduced in $701,000,000 gross income in 2024, placing it at No. 79 on the Am Regulation 100 — one of many fastest-growing companies within the nation. Taft’s merger with Morris Manning will likely be its third of 2025. The tie-up, projected to shut by the tip of the yr, will create a agency that’s 1,200 attorneys robust with gross income approaching $1 billion.
Am Regulation has some addition particulars on how the companies’ plans got here collectively:
As agency leaders evaluated the potential deal, [Taft managing partner Robert] Hicks stated that “due to the departures we have been involved” if Taft can be “getting the very best” expertise that remained at Morris Manning.
“Frankly, there’s like zero doubt in our minds,” Hicks stated. “Frankly, each time we met with Morris Manning simply acquired higher and higher, and we felt increasingly more strong about it.” …
Hicks stated he believed Morris Manning was a “sufferer of its personal success” as a result of massive companies sometimes hunt down the highest-performing companions on the high native companies when transferring into any new market.
“We truly noticed this as a constructive,” he stated of the departures. “We checked out their shopper base and have been extremely impressed. We regarded on the gifted attorneys [and] have been extremely impressed.”
Simon Malko, Morris Manning’s managing accomplice, went on to say that whereas they’d been approached with mergers “many instances” earlier than, Taft appeared probably the most promising “We’ve by no means stated we’re going to merge for merger’s sake,” he stated. “Not one of the conversations earlier than Taft have been compelling alternatives.”
Congratulations to Morris Manning and Taft on what looks like a merger resolution that was made simply within the nick of time. Let’s see how far the mix will transfer Taft up within the Am Regulation 100 rankings.
Quick-Rising Taft Finds Third Merger Associate This 12 months in Atlanta’s Morris Manning [American Lawyer]
Earlier: Biglaw Agency Enters Merger Talks After Dropping Practically 60 Attorneys To Opponents In Mass Lateral Strikes
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Regulation, the place she’s labored since 2011. She’d love to listen to from you, so please be happy to e mail her with any ideas, questions, feedback, or critiques. You may comply with her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or join along with her on LinkedIn.
