Major Biglaw Merger News: Quinn Emanuel And Williams & Connolly Are In Talks

This could be huge.

UPDATE (5:00 p.m.): This post has been updated with Williams & Connolly’s denial of merger plans.

This could be the Biglaw wedding merger of the decade! Two incredibly well-known, leading litigation firms are thinking of tying the knot: Quinn Emanuel and Williams & Connolly.

Legal Business reports that the two prestigious firms are in talks to become one, and it is more than just rumor. John Quinn himself has confirmed it — though it should be noted talks are in the preliminary stage:

Quinn Emanuel managing partner John Quinn said: ‘It is true that we had a meeting on this subject but it was very preliminary and we don’t know what, if anything, will come of this.’

So don’t go buying the prospective couple new china just yet, but the merger still has the possibility to alter the Biglaw landscape. The talks reportedly began last month, and if successful could represent Quinn’s first full-scale merger. But there are still some potentially significant differences between the firms that need to be hammered out:

Williams & Connolly now comprises over 300 lawyers and ranks 94th in the latest Global 100 with a turnover of $420m and profit per equity partner standing at $1.6m. In contrast, Quinn – the second-most profitable law firm in the world, which has made a virtue of being one of the premier independent disputes specialists – has a PEP of more than $5m against global revenues of $1.2bn.

We can’t wait to see if these two litigation powerhouses can actually make it to the altar.

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UPDATE (5:00 p.m.): Well, that was fast! It seems this merger is not to be. Williams & Connolly has denied any merger plans.

Quinn Emanuel breaks tradition as merger talks with DC disputes leader Williams & Connolly begin [Legal Business]
Quinn Emanuel Confirms Early Merger Talks With Williams & Connolly [Law.com]


headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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