The news that Washington-based Arent Fox and Chicago-based Schiff Hardin are merging on March 1—instantly creating a new Am Law 100 firm—means there is a new serious contender in the market for legal talent and blue chip business, recruiters and consultants agree.

With gross revenues of around $333.6 million, Arent Fox was ranked 107th in the Am Law 200, while total revenues exceeding $173.9 million put Schiff Hardin in 163rd place. Based on this year’s Am Law rankings, ArentFox Schiff’s total revenue of more than $509 million would propel the new firm into the Am Law 100 at No. 78, just below Crowell & Moring, eking out Barnes & Thornburg. But more than that, new chair Anthony Lupo insists the merger is a case of “1+1=3” in the areas that count for a legal services business.

Anthony Lupo of ArentFox Schiff. Courtesy photo