Law firm mergers are off to another strong start in 2024, with multiple combinations that span all corners of the continental U.S announced this week. Kent Zimmermann notes that over the past 24 months, higher-performing, higher-quality firms are putting mergers and acquisitions on the table when they hadn’t done so historically. One huge driver on why so many firms are interested in mergers is the recognition of significant benefits of scale.

Kent Zimmermann and Hugh Simons define a merger as one means for a firm to drive its strategy forward. In this article, they discuss what exactly a strategy is, how, in theory, a merger might move a firm forward, and in practice, what tends to happen in a merger.

Mary K Young writes about the process of law firm mergers, the growing urge for firms to combine, the sensitivity around post-merger firm names, and retaining brand equity.

Merger discussions among even some unlikely pairings seem to be heating up. In their new book, Kent Zimmermann and John E. Morris explain why and offer tips on how firms of various sizes and market positions should approach merger discussions.

In this article, Peter Zeughauser reviews the growth of Big Law and outlines what may be expected in 2022, which looks to be another big year for those firms. Size matters. Large firms with high revenue, high margins, and high levels of profitability will likely continue to widen the chasm between themselves and the next tier.

Zeughauser Group's 2021 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; The Global 200; The China 50; The Asia 50; and The Corporate Scorecard.

If you would like a hard copy of the 2021 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2021 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

There has been healthy chatter about the 2021 law firm merger market since last spring, when law firm leaders shuddered at the thought of what damage the COVID-19 crisis might inflict on BigLaw finances. Peter Zeughauser analyzes the BigLaw merger market in 2021 and senses that it seems poised for a return to normal. Indeed, by the end of January, it may feel like a snapback. By the end of 2021, last year's dip in the law firm merger market will be an anomaly, for a number of reasons.

Zeughauser Group's 2020 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; The Global 200; The China 45; The Asia 50; and The Corporate Scorecard.

You can download the ZGuide here.

If you would like a hard copy of the 2020 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2020 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

This report summarizes the findings of Zeughauser Group's survey of managing partners and other senior leaders of Washington DC law firms. The firms ranged in size from less than 10 to nearly 150 attorneys, and the findings are based on the contributions of 36 respondents. The objective of the survey was to learn about the outlook that respondents have for the future, including the nature and extent of their growth aspirations. The survey was conducted in the first half of 2019.

Zeughauser Group's 2019 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; The Global 200; The China 45; and The Corporate Scorecard.

You can download the ZGuide here

If you would like a hard copy of the 2019 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2019 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

In this podcast, Kent Zimmermann shares insights on recent large law firm mergers, what the components of a successful law firm merger are, why plaintiffs choose to pursue US-based lawsuits, how to develop relationships with reporters and to be quoted in the news and media, and what makes an effective managing partner and law firm leader.

A summary of findings from Zeughauser Group's survey of Boston law firms, focusing on the potential for mergers and combinations, likely growth areas and geographies, and future priorities and challenges. Survey respondents were exclusively managing partners and other senior leaders of Boston law
firms ranging in size from approximately 10 to 200 attorneys.

For more information about this survey, contact Kent Zimmermann at zimmermann@consultzg.com or (312) 810-8008.

Zeughauser Group's 2018 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; and The Corporate Scorecard.

You can download the ZGuide here

If you would like a hard copy of the 2018 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2018 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

An increasing number of law firm leaders have concluded that they need to grow high quality headcount in their areas of focus to remain competitive. Many have chosen to consider all potential options for achieving growth. This includes recruiting laterals, small groups, or combinations. Many firms choose to put all three options on the table. Strategic planning helps law firms choose among their options. Mary K Young and Kent Zimmermann discuss in The American Lawyer.

Executive Summary of results from 2018 survey of Texas law firm leaders:

• 82% report they were approached to combine with another firm in the past year. Texas remains a highly sought-after growth destination.
• 32% are open to considering a combination with another firm in the next three to five years. Of these, 80% indicated interest in a transformational combination with a larger or similarly- sized firm.

A big infrastructure spending bill piled on top of tax cuts would be a major shot in the arm for BigLaw.

A downloadable pocket guide to Am Law 200 firms with key statistics for 2016:

• number of lawyers and equity partners
• profits per equity partner (PPEP)
• gross revenue and rank by gross revenue (GR)
• revenue per lawyer and rank by revenue per lawyer (RPL)
• compensation average for all partners

We recently sought to better understand the outlook and growth aspirations of leaders of independent law firms in Los Angeles. LA remains a sought-after growth destination, with 88% of respondents reporting they were approached to combine with another firm in the past year.