Chadbourne & Parke offices in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM)
Chadbourne & Parke’s proposed combination with Norton Rose Fulbright is facing delays due to client conflicts.
The two firms confirmed in late February that they would join forces sometime this year, but did not give a specific timeline for a union, only stating that it would take place sometime in the second quarter of 2017.
But with the second quarter’s end now looming on the horizon, a date for the deal to officially go live remains elusive.
“The combination process included an in-depth review of potential conflicts,” said a statement by Norton Rose Fulbright CEO Peter Martyr. “We have identified very few material conflicts and are working to resolve these. We expect our proposed combination with Chadbourne & Parke to enhance our capabilities and add tremendous value to our collective clients. As we are in the process of working through the technicalities of bringing both firms together, it is premature to discuss any further at this stage. An update will be provided in due course.”
One partner at Norton Rose Fulbright said that partners had been informed that the tie-up was expected to go through in the second quarter. The lawyer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that if a combination still goes through in the next three of four weeks “it wouldn’t be particularly delayed.”
One practice that a source identified as being affected by client conflicts is Chadbourne’s high-powered project finance group. Chadbourne is also currently embroiled in a high-profile gender bias suit filed by three former partner, including litigator Kerrie Campbell, who was ousted from the firm’s partnership in April. Lawyers representing plaintiffs in the case have said that Norton Rose Fulbright will be drawn into it should its combination go forward with Chadbourne.
The American Lawyer recently reported on a team of roughly 20 lawyers leaving Chadbourne in Dubai, Johannesburg and London for Covington & Burling. Norton Rose Fulbright, formed in 2013 after the combination of London-based Norton Rose with Houston-based Fulbright & Jaworski, also announced this week its plans to unite with Australia’s Henry Davis York.
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Anna Ward is a reporter with Legal Week in London. Contact her at [email protected]. On Twitter: @annaroxelana
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