Mayer Brown Calls Off Merger Talks With Heller Ehrman

Drew Combs

The American Lawyer

September 15, 2008

Mayer Brown called off merger talks with Heller Ehrman on Monday, according to firm spokesperson Brian Pitts. "After careful consideration," Pitts said in an e-mail statement, "we have decided not to pursue that course."

The Am Law Daily broke the news of the merger talks in late August. Discussion of a possible Mayer Brown/Heller union began days after Heller's talks with Baker & McKenzie ended.

Mayer Brown's statement Monday did not refer to Heller's rapidly dwindling partner ranks, but took care to praise the San Francisco firm, which last year rejected a merger with Boston-based Goodwin Procter. "Heller is a fine firm with outstanding lawyers," Mayer Brown said. "Like us, they have a long heritage of excellence in their work and service to clients. A merger with them would have offered potential benefits for both firms and our clients."

But client and practice conflicts, Mayer said, could not be resolved.

Chicago-based Mayer Brown declined further comment.