We mentioned it yesterday, but Dickstein Shapiro is no more. The firm, which has been in troubled waters since 2013 when it first started seeing a mass exodus of attorneys, has been desperately seeking a merger partner for quite a few months. While dreams of a full merger were not to be, Blank Rome has acquired over 100 “assets” (read: attorneys) in a mass lateral move.
The nature of the acquisition allows Blank Rome to get all of the talent that made up Dickstein Shapiro, with none of the debt. A win/win for the Philadelphia-based firm. As reported by the Big Law Business blog of Bloomberg BNA:
Such “asset acquisitions” ensure that the acquiring firm doesn’t take on obligations — such as real estate leases and other payments — left behind by the firm being acquired.
In these types of deals, a representative is typically appointed to oversee the winding down of the firm’s affairs. The Dickstein Shapiro site listed Jim Carroll as a contact person for inquiries concerning Dickstein business matters.
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And the nearly 65-year-old Dickstein Shapiro LLP is no more. As their website clearly states, they are “no longer engaged in the practice of law.” While this is generally good news for those associated with the firm, especially those attorneys now working at Blank Rome that no longer have to worry about the solvency of their employer, not everyone is thrilled with the news. As the National Law Journal reports:
[Claudia Shapiro Taskier, daughter of firm founder David Shapiro] had known the news was coming for months, if not years.
“I’d had some time to think about it. It’s heartbreaking for me,” Taskier said to The National Law Journal on Thursday night. “I’m very glad Dad and Sidney [Dickstein] are not alive. They would have been heartbroken over what happened the last three years.”
For their part, Blank Rome seems happy with the arrangement. This expanded version of Blank Rome will have over 620 lawyers and expects to see its gross revenue balloon. In a statement, Blank Rome’s chairman Alan Hoffman crows about the acquisition:
“It is amazing to think that just 15 years ago, Blank Rome was primarily a Philadelphia law firm,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Blank Rome’s Chairman and Managing Partner. “In line with our current strategic plan, this is the latest in a robust series of targeted lateral hires, acquisitions, and combinations that our Firm has successfully completed in recent years. As Blank Rome celebrates its 70th anniversary, we are excited to help our clients tackle the full range of their most critical legal challenges now and for decades to come.”
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And while true that beggars can’t be choosers, former Dickstein Shapiro chairman James Kelly seems happy with how it all shook out:
“We have long admired Blank Rome’s deliberate and steady evolution, and its commitment to delivering top-level service to its clients,” said James Kelly, the new Chairman of Blank Rome’s Washington, D.C., office and former Chairman of Dickstein Shapiro. “The group of attorneys and professionals joining Blank Rome are proud of the success we have had in serving our clients and building premier, market-leading practices. We are excited to continue serving clients together with our new colleagues at Blank Rome.”
Best of luck to the bigger and better Blank Rome. Hopefully the move won’t lead to many growing pains.
Updated: Blank Rome Acquires Dickstein Shapiro Lawyers [Big Law Business / Bloomberg BNA via Morning Docket]
Dickstein Shapiro ‘No Longer Engaged in the Practice of Law’ [National Law Journal via Non-Sequiturs]
Dickstein Shapiro Closure Heartbreaking to Name Partner’s Daughter [National Law Journal]
Earlier: Has Dickstein Shapiro Found A (New) Rescuer?
Dickstein Shapiro Finds A Firm To Rescue It From Certain Death
The Biglaw Firms With The Biggest Drops In Attorney Headcount (2015)