© 2017 The Texas Lawbook.
By Allen Pusey
(Nov. 1) – Foley & Lardner, a firm of more than 800 lawyers based in Milwaukee, has confirmed serious discussions with Dallas-based Gardere Wynne Sewell about a potential combination of the two firms.
Foley spokesman Jill Chanen confirmed the discussions, but declined to characterize the status of the talks.
“We continuously evaluate opportunities that will advance the interests of our clients and the firm,” Chanen said. “As part of these efforts, we have engaged in discussions with Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP about the mutual benefits for clients that may stem from a combination. As the discussions are still underway, and no final decision has been reached, we do not have any further information to share at this time.”
The potential combination was first reported by The American Lawyer, quoting two sources familiar with the operations of both firms.
Gardere has made no secret of its interest in some form of combination with another national firm. In an interview in May, Gardere Managing Partner Holly O’Neil told The Texas Lawbook that the Dallas-based firm had discussed merger options.
“We still get calls from national law firms seeking an impactful merger,” O’Neil said. “We are looking for expansion opportunities. If we do something, it needs to be one-plus-one equaling three.
“We do not want to grow just to grow,” she said.
Foley, founded in 1842, is the oldest active firm in Wisconsin. It has 17 U.S. offices from Boston to San Diego, but none in Texas. By combining with Gardere, Foley would have a major presence in Dallas and Houston with one of the oldest firms in Texas and would extend the firm’s reach into Mexico.
Gardere, founded in 1909, is an Am Law 200 firm and one of the oldest in Texas. The Texas Lawbook reported in May that Gardere’s annual revenues in 2016 were $144.7 million, which ranked it 12th in Texas.
In addition to Dallas, Houston and Austin, Gardere has offices in Denver and Mexico City, but about 90 percent of its lawyers office in Texas. Last month, Gardere announced that it had absorbed Bufete Hernandez Romo, a small Mexico City firm that specializes in international commercial arbitration.
Gardere’s revenue per lawyers for 2016 were $738,000, which ranked the firm 30th among law firms operating in Texas.
–Mark Curriden contributed to this report.
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