Well-Known Midsize Boston Firm Shutters After Biglaw Firms Poach Half Its Lawyers
The longtime midsize firm was unable to find a suitable merger partner to save it from closure.
When we last checked in on Burns & Levinson — a midsized firm that had been virtually ransacked by Biglaw firms looking for attorneys to fill their new offices in Boston — the firm was still in search of a potential merger partner, but at the time, things were looking bleak.
Would the legal profession wave goodbye to this firm, or would a merger partner finally come to its rescue? Unfortunately, it seems that the former has come to pass. Burns & Levinson has decided to close its doors after 64 years in operation.
“Unfortunately, after exhaustive analysis, we have determined that the economics, the timeline and the complexity of deals offered would not work for the remaining partners as a group and for our wonderfully varied practices,” Paul Mastrocola, the firm’s managing partner, said in the statement. “Ultimately, as a partnership, we have decided that it is better for our amazing attorneys to move on to different firms where each of our practices can thrive and our clients can—and will—be well served.”
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Prior to the firm’s decision to wind down, it had been in merger talks with Barclay Damon. The American Lawyer has additional details:
Barclay Damon is set to hire approximately 10 attorneys from Burns & Levinson’s intellectual property and real estate groups, firm chair John Langan said. Barclay Damon was initially in talks with Burns & Levinson for a full merger, but ultimately couldn’t make it work.
“It’s sad, and unfortunate, but we’re going to try and make the best of it,” Langan said. “We’re excited about the talent that we are going to be able to bring in.”
We wish the remaining lawyers and legal professionals at Burns & Levinson the best of luck as they seek new opportunities in the legal industry and beyond.
If your firm or organization is closing its doors or reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through open layoffs, stealth layoffs, or voluntary buyouts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our vast network of tipsters is part of what makes Above the Law thrive — we’ll never ignore you. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477). Thank you!
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Burns & Levinson to Wind Down After 64 Years in Boston [American Lawyer]
Earlier: Midsize Boston Firm Seeks Merger Partner After Losing Nearly 50 Lawyers To Biglaw In Mass Lateral Moves
Midsize Boston Firm Searching For Merger Partner After Losing Half Its Lawyers, But Things Are Getting Tough
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked 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 X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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