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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
EXPANSION DURING CONTRACTION - Last month, when Arizona-based Fennemore Craig and California-based Dowling Aaron voted to merge to create a 180-lawyer practice with 10 offices, Fennemore CEO James Goodnow told us that, while it may seem logical for firms to be conservative about growth during a recession, “this is exactly the time firms need to be acting boldly and strategically.” Looks like he’s not alone in that sentiment. Dentons, for example, has announced a tie-up with 100-lawyer Salt Lake City-based firm Durham Jones & Pinegar, Dan Packel reports. The move is the latest in Dentons’ U.S. expansion plan, which is dubbed “Project Golden Spike” and was rolled out pre-pandemic. Meanwhile, Samantha Stokes reports that Frost Brown Todd, which has roots in the Midwest, opened in Houston recently, recruiting lawyers from McFall, Breitbeil & Eidman; Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith; Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr; and others.
