The Albany law firms of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna and McNamee Lochner said Monday that they’re in talks to combine, a move that would further bolster Whiteman’s role as Albany’s largest firm.

While the coronavirus outbreak has caused many firms to hit the brakes on merger talks, the firms said they are discussing having “most” of McNamee Lochner’s 24 or so lawyers join Whiteman, a 75-attorney firm. Leaders at the firms said their economics and practice groups were similar and noted that McNamee’s matrimonial practice could support Whiteman’s offerings.