Two of the Midwest's nationally recognized law firms -- St. Louis-based Husch & Eppenberger and Kansas City, Mo.-based Blackwell Sanders -- on Thursday confirmed that their partners voted to merge the firms in late January. A name for the combined firm will be chosen by then.
The new firm will have 630 attorneys with anticipated revenues topping $275 million for 2008, and will concentrate on commercial litigation and business services.
Husch & Eppenberger was ranked No. 136 in the 2007 NLJ 250, The National Law Journal's annual survey of the nation's 250 largest firms. Blackwell was ranked No. 138.
Joseph P. Conran and David A. Fenley will lead the merged firm as co-chairmen, along with a six-member executive board consisting of Tom Carney, Greg Smith, Bob Tomaso and Maurice Watson.
"This is a true merger of equals," said Conran. "Both firms contribute extraordinary legacies of legal excellence, client service and community leadership. Additionally, in those cities where Husch and Blackwell have historically operated, we immediately complement and improve our competitive position."
Blackwell Sanders appeared at No. 179 on the 2007 Am Law 200 list, which ranks firms according to their gross revenue. Husch & Eppenberger was ranked No. 175. As of Nov. 30, Blackwell Sanders had 330 attorneys firmwide; Husch had 300 firmwide.
The firms announced their merger discussions in mid-September. The firm has offices in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and Jefferson City, Mo.; Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.; Chattanooga and Memphis, Tenn.; Peoria and Belleville, Ill.; Overland Park, Kan.; Washington, D.C.; and London.
