Hale and Dorr, Wilmer Cutler on the verge of joining forces

Boston’s Hale and Dorr and Washington DC-based Wilmer Cutler & Pickering are poised to finalise a merger.

As first revealed on www.thelawyer.com (16 April), a deal is expected to be struck as early as this week, although partners at both firms have yet to vote.

In 2002, Hale and Dorr and Wilmer Cutler generated revenues of $306.5m (£172.3m) and $296.5m (£166.7m) respectively.

If the merger goes ahead, it is understood that Hale and Dorr managing partner William Lee and William Perlstein, chairman of Wilmer Cutler’s management committee, will be appointed as joint managing partners.