Darby & Darby, a century-old New York intellectual property boutique, said Friday that it would begin the process of dissolving.

The decision follows a series of departures, as partners left to join general practice firms including McDermott Will & Emery and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. Darby & Darby made the decision to dissolve after it was unable to work out a merger, according to the firm’s spokeswoman, Beth Silberstein.