Rosenman-Katten Muchin merger creates New York-Chicago giant

The merger entity is called KMZ Rosenman and has immediately established one of the largest New York offices of any Chicago firm.
The merged firm boasts a national complement of nearly 700 lawyers.
Both firms have cited client demand rather than plans for expansion as the motivating factor behind the merger. Rosenman's former chairman, Joshua Rubenstein, has become managing partner of the New York office.
Rubenstein said: "Our clients are consolidating at a rapid pace.
"We lacked a national presence and the ability to grow as fast as our clients."
With about 435 lawyers, Katten Muchin is the larger side in the merger. Its managing partner, Vincent Sergi, has become the national managing partner of the combined firm.
Sergi said that his firm had long avoided New York, adding that clients had made it clear that a New York presence would serve their aims.
Katten Muchin is widely considered to be in a tier below Chicago competitors McDermott Will & Emery and Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw, despite being the fifth largest firm in the city.
Both firms have small offices in Washington DC.