Womble Bond Dickinson, Lewis Roca announce merger

Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca have announced plans to merge, effective Jan. 1. The combined firm will operate under the name Womble Bond Dickinson with leadership headed by Chair and CEO-elect Merrick Benn and Vice Chair Kenneth Van Winkle.

The move will result in a staff of 1,300 attorneys across 37 offices in the United States and the United Kingdom. With a projected gross revenue exceeding $742 million, the new firm would have ranked 70th on the 2024 Am Law 100, signaling its significant market position.

Van Winkle called this merger "a natural fit and a clear win-win, with both firms placing a high value on genuine and long-term relationships with clients and colleagues, a shared focus on collaborating with transparency and integrity, and a wide range of complementary practices that offer a unique value proposition for clients."

"Bringing together our vast capabilities, resources, and experience is a rare opportunity to take both firms to new heights and chart a path for our ongoing success. We could not be more excited about the many opportunities that lie ahead for our clients, attorneys, and professional staff," he added.

The merger is expected to bolster several key practice areas, including finance, bankruptcy, and restructuring; intellectual property; real estate; complex litigation and disputes; and corporate and securities. Additionally, the combination promises to create significant synergies across sector teams, particularly in financial services, energy and natural resources, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, and technology.

Data from Fairfax Associates, a consulting firm, showed that in the first quarter of 2024, law firm merger activity significantly increased, with 20 completed mergers representing a 25% rise from the same period in 2023. The trend focused primarily on small and midsize firms, with 65% of mergers involving firms of 5-20 lawyers.

More data from Fairfax shows California emerged as a hotspot for law firm mergers in 2023, with 10 combinations, mostly involving firms from other states.

In 2024, several notable mergers occurred. The year began with Stephens Friedland LLP merging with Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC in January. February saw Fennemore Craig combine with Sullivan Hill Rez & Engel, extending its growth in California. Later, two minority-owned litigation boutiques united as Sanders Roberts merged with Lafayette & Kumagai LLP.

In August, Pasich LLP joined McGuireWoods LLP. As of Oct. 1. Los Angeles-based healthcare and life sciences boutique law firm, Nelson Hardiman merged with the national full-service firm Leech Tishman. Also, effective Oct. 1, is the merger between Lathrop GPM and Hopkins Carley.

Most recently, Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord announced a merger effective January 1, creating a firm of 1,600 attorneys across 35 offices in the U.S. and Europe.

The new Womble Bond Dickinson will have a robust presence in California and a domestic footprint spanning 29 offices across 15 states and Washington, D.C. Moreover, Lewis Roca will gain access to international markets through Womble Bond Dickinson eight offices in the United Kingdom.

"We have been energized by the strong cultural alignment and connections we've experienced already and look forward to further integrating our teams," CEO Elizabeth O. Temple said in a statement.