Becker & Poliakoff acquired two law firms in a single week. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with about 160 attorneys, Becker announced on October 2 that it was opening a Northern Virginia office with the acquisition of Litman Law, a five-attorney patent firm in Manassas. Just four days earlier, it announced that it was acquiring Cornett, Googe & Associates, a four-lawyer practice in Port St. Lucie, Fla., which focuses on community association law.
DEWEY
Dewey & LeBoeuf declared bankruptcy on May 28, marking the largest law firm insolvency in history. The New York firm, which at its peak in 2008 had 1,450 attorneys, reported $315 million in liabilities at the time, $225 million of which was bank debt. The firm’s demise was attributed primarily to pay guarantees for underperforming partners in a struggling economy. The firm’s estate is setto auction its artwork on February 1.
