Amid fierce law firm competition in the Carolinas, two local ones are merging to offer greater services to clients while also fending off business threats of Am Law 200 firms entering the region.

Columbia, S.C.-based Nexsen Pruet, a 210-attorney firm, added seven lawyers in Charlotte in May when it merged with North Carolina-based firm Erwin, Capitano & Moss. Nexsen Pruet chairman Leighton Lord said his firm primarily merged to gain more litigation capabilities for clients, as larger law firms enter the region.