After just two years in the D.C. market, Akerman Senterfitt is trying to expand its presence. The Florida-based firm has been in merger talks with Virginia-based Wickwire Gavin for more than two months.

“The boards met and have decided to see if the numbers work,” says Richard Spees, managing partner of Akerman’s D.C. office. “This could take months, but there certainly has been [interest] from both firms.”