Biglaw, Law Firm Mergers

Will They Or Won't They? Rumors Abound About Potential Biglaw Merger

Neither firm has commented on their reported trip down the aisle.

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‘Don’t tell anyone, but my firm’s got the urge to merge…’

Sometimes the world of Biglaw can be just like high school, where rumors about who’s dating who seem to be more important than anything else. Today, we indulge those who crave gossip with a bit of chatter about two law firms that may — or may not — be considering a merger.

According to the New York Law Journal, sources say that Andrews Kurth Kenyon and Hunton & Williams are exploring a combination. Thus far, no one is quite sure how far the tie-up talks have progressed, and a vote isn’t expected any time soon.

If you recall, Andrews Kurth rescued Kenyon & Kenyon through absorption just last year, but since that time, the firm has been searching for a merger partner. Could a parade of partners heading for the exits have anything to do with it?

Andrews Kurth has been hit with a series of partner defections this year. Most recently, one of the firm’s key rainmaking partners, David Buck, co-chair of Andrews Kurth’s corporate and securities practice, gave notice that he was leaving to go to Sidley Austin, sources said. …

Several law firms have raided Andrews Kurth this year to expand their own Texas and energy practices. Greenberg Traurig in Dallas picked up four real estate lawyers in September. Jackson Walker took four partners from the firm this summer, while in February, King & Spalding took four corporate attorneys.

Given that Andrews Kurth and Hunton & Williams have similar financial metrics per the most recent Am Law rankings — AK’s profits per partner are $1.26 million, its revenue per lawyer is $885,000, and its gross revenue is $289 million; H&W’s profits per partner are $1.1 million, its revenue per lawyer is $820,000, and its gross revenue is $541 million — this could very well be a Biglaw match made in heaven.

Will they or won’t they? Neither firm has commented on their reported trip down the aisle, but since we have fairly reliable sources at our disposal, please email us or text us (646-820-8477) with any information you might have. Thanks for your help!

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Andrews Kurth, Hunton & Williams Explore Merger [New York Law Journal]

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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