Total completed law firm mergers are down by historical standards in 2021, but an uptick in combination activity is still anticipated in the second half of the year.

Law firm consulting outfit Fairfax Associates counted seven completed mergers in the second quarter, on top of 18 in the first quarter. The total of 25 is in line with the first-half total in 2020 (26) but down from the average of the most recent 10 years (31).