San Francisco boutique Shartsis Friese is continuing to pursue a strategy of independence, though the firm will soon embark on a new chapter as Art Shartsis, co-founder and managing partner for the firm’s entire 47-year history, steps down at the end of the year.

The leadership transition comes as the number of independent firms in Northern California dwindles. Just last week, Cooper, White & Cooper said it would join Southeast-born Womble Bond Dickinson in September. And last January, San Francisco’s Greene Radovsky Maloney Share & Hennigh merged with Philadelphia-based Fox Rothschild.