Despite a string of law firm closures in the US, domestic firms are continuing to expand with both Pennie & Edmonds and Duane Morris opening up in San Diego.
The expansion marks intellectual property boutique Pennie’s fourth US office, adding to New York, Washington and Palo Alto. The new space, to be opened at the beginning of September, will be headed by Anthony Insogna, who will relocate from New York. The office will also contain four lawyers as well as partner Laurie Axford, who is moving from Morrison & Foerster.
Pennie appears to be following an organic growth strategy on the West Coast after the collapse of talks with Cooley Godward last year. The tie-up would have given Pennie a bigger footprint on the West Coast, but was opposed by a number of its New York partners. Cooley is now rumoured to be in talks with Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.
Duane Morris has made the leap into San Diego through the acquisition of 16 lawyers from Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps and intends to open an office in Pittsburgh next month.
The firm is financing its expansion through funds won in successful suits, in particular through the $25m (£15.6m) it gained in a tobacco litigation case.