Law Firm Mergers Populate First Quarter of 2009

On Jan. 1, Florida-based Gordon Hargrove & James merged with San Francisco-based Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold. That merger is one of 20 around the country that are scheduled to close in 2009’s first quarter. Sedgwick’s chair says the economic downturn played a minimal role in the firm’s decision, but that may not be the case for other firms. Consultant Bill Brennan says the economy has partners in smaller firms “now more willing to consider ‘going to the dark side’ and joining a bigger firm.”