Orrick rejoins merger club by courting Akin Gump
US firms Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe are in talks regarding a potential merger.
Ralph Baxter
A spokesperson for Akin Gump confirmed that both firms are in preliminary discussions but neither firm is providing specific details on the talks.
A spokesman for Orrick said: “Orrick and Akin Gump have held preliminary discussions about the possibility of a merger. At this time, it is premature and inappropriate to speak publicly in any detail about the process.”
For Orrick this is the latest in a series of merger talks held over the last three years, with chairman Ralph Baxter keen to secure a deal. Most recently, the firm pulled out of discussions with SJ Berwin earlier this year (4 May 2010).
In 2007 the firm was in advanced talks with Dewey Ballantine, but the tie-up was abandoned due to disagreements over management and governance issues (9 January 2007).
In 2008 the firm secured a merger with German firm Hölters & Elsing following nine months of negotiations (22 September 2008).
If the latest talks are successful the combined firm would have more than 1,800 lawyers and a total revenue of around $1.5bn (£950m).
While a merger between two high-profile US firms has not been seen in recent times, the news comes following a series of transatlantic mergers this year, with the tie-up between US firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal and the UK’s Denton Wilde Sapte due to go live tomorrow (9 June 2010).
Last month Hammonds announced that it is in talks over a potential tie-up with America’s Squire Sanders & Dempsey (25 August 2010).
Readers' comments (6)
mary | 29-Sep-2010 11:48 am
Orrick in MORE merger talks? What's wrong with these guys? They just don't know what they want!
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Anonymous | 29-Sep-2010 12:44 pm
This looks like a good meger. Both firms are increasingly sub-scale and need more resources for expansion in emerging markets. The practice fit is excellent and the cultures are very similar.
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Anonymous | 29-Sep-2010 1:57 pm
If this goes ahead I'll eat my hat
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T. Rom Boner | 29-Sep-2010 3:43 pm
Boy oh boy, just when SJB look like the ugliest, snivelling wretch at the ball up steps Orrick with running mascara and a torn gown begging the last boy available to take her up to Lookout Point to make out.
Ralph, have some pride man for pity's sake.
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R. Bagster | 29-Sep-2010 5:23 pm
Hi, My name's Ralph. I've never met you before but I can see the synergies. Fancy coming back to my place and getting down to some serious merger action?
What? You're not interested?
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fb | 29-Sep-2010 8:11 pm
Just in case this one doesn't work...
(...skull in hand)
Alas, Poor Orrick
We knew them, a curio
a law firm of infinite hope, their flights of fancy hath borne merger-stories a thousand times and now, how abhorred in our imagination they are!
Our eyes roll at it.
Here hung those lips that have kissed frogs we know not how oft.
Where be your strategy now?
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