Law firm mergers remain on the rise and are due for “an acceleration” as the year continues, according to a report on Monday. However, the number of combinations during the first half of 2023 is still below average, and negotiations over potential unions could become more volatile as they involve larger firms, analysts wrote.

Fairfax Associates tallied 11 completed mergers during the second quarter and 28 total during the first half of 2023—more than the same period during 2021 and 2022. The Q2 combos were highlighted by the joining of Birmingham-based Maynard Cooper & Gale and Columbia, South Carolina-based Nexsen Pruet to create 550-lawyer Maynard Nexsen.