Squire Sanders and Hammonds Combine, Providing Clients With Comprehensive Counsel Worldwide

WASHINGTON and LONDON, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Partners with US-based Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. and UK-based Hammonds LLP have approved a combination agreement that creates a new top-tier global legal practice to provide clients worldwide with comprehensive legal counsel. The combination takes effect Jan. 1, 2011.

With approximately 1,275 lawyers in 37 offices and 17 countries, Squire Sanders will be among the top 25 global legal practices, based on number of lawyers. Squire Sanders chair James J. Maiwurm will be global chief executive officer and chair. Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley will be managing partner for Europe. The combined firm will be structured as a Swiss Verein and governed by a 13-person global board elected by the partners.

"The pace of the business world is accelerating. Clients expect their law firms to embrace change and seize opportunity even in a challenging business climate," Maiwurm said. "We hear our clients and know they consider cost-effective global counsel the norm, not the exception. The combination of our firms is designed for the times and positioned for the future. We will continue to seek bold solutions for clients wherever their business takes them, and we will do this in a collaborative fashion that makes us both an inviting place to work and a great choice for clients."

Crossley added, "Clients currently working with lawyers from both legacy firms are enthusiastic about the combination's expanded practice expertise, industry knowledge, regional strength and global reach. We are delighted to report that clients' reactions reflect what we concluded after we began discussions with Squire Sanders. Simply put, we are better together."

The combined legal practice will have additional depth in key practices essential to managing multiple complex matters as well as cross-practice industry knowledge.

The expanded practice strengths include corporate/corporate finance, litigation and arbitration, insolvency and restructuring, real estate, regulatory, labor and employment, environmental, intellectual property, pensions and tax. Industry expertise will expand in segments such as energy and utilities, chemicals, media, sports and entertainment, financial services and banking, maritime and information technology.

As a result of the combination, clients will have additional support in more markets where they do business. The London office, supported by UK regional offices, will have added depth in all practices essential to cross-border transactions and disputes.

There will be more complete service throughout Continental Europe, such as an expanded Brussels office to provide additional European Union competition and trade advice, as well as corporate, banking and finance, real estate and restructuring counsel. The combination will have additional presence in Germany, Europe's strongest economy, with offices in Berlin and Frankfurt, as well as a presence in Paris, a key cross-border business center. There will be full-service counsel throughout Central and Eastern Europe with offices in Bratislava, Budapest, Kyiv, Prague and Warsaw, as well as a stronger presence in Moscow.

Clients with business interests that involve Madrid and Latin America will have access to lawyers in Caracas, Rio de Janeiro, Santo Domingo and Sao Paulo as well as lawyers in Latin America-based firms affiliated with the Squire Sanders Legal Counsel Worldwide Network.

The resources of the combined firms will span Asia with capability in Tokyo and additional strength in China that includes Shanghai and expanded offices in Beijing and Hong Kong.  In addition, the combination provides coast-to-coast support in the United States.

For more information, please visit www.squiresandersandhammonds.com.

About Squire Sanders – Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. was founded in 1890 and has lawyers in 32 offices and 15 countries around the world. With one of the strongest integrated global platforms and a longstanding "one-firm firm" philosophy, Squire Sanders provides seamless legal counsel worldwide.

About Hammonds – Hammonds LLP is a leading commercial law firm with offices throughout the UK as well as elsewhere in Europe and Asia. The firm employs more than a thousand people, including 170 partners, working out of 10 offices in six countries.

SOURCE Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.