Clark Hill PLC And Thorp Reed & Armstrong LLP Announce Merger Agreement, Creating 300 Attorney, 12 Office Firm

DETROIT and PITTSBURGH, March 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The law and professional service firms of Clark Hill PLC and Thorp Reed & Armstrong LLP announce an agreement to merge the two firms, each with more than 100 years of history.  The firms expect the merger to close in the second quarter of this year.

The combined firm includes more than 300 attorneys in a wide variety of practice areas. The firm will operate in 12 offices in seven states plus the District of Columbia. Office locations are in Birmingham, Mich., Chicago, Ill., Detroit, Mich., Grand Rapids, Mich., Lansing, Mich., Philadelphia, Pa., Phoenix, Ariz., Pittsburgh, Pa., Princeton, N.J., Washington, D.C., Wheeling, W.Va. and Wilmington, Del.

The combined firm will utilize the brand name Clark Hill Thorp Reed in chosen markets, including all geographic markets where Thorp Reed & Armstrong has a presence today.  However, its legal name will remain Clark Hill and the Clark Hill name will continue to be used in all of Clark Hill's current markets.  The combined firm's decentralized structure empowers local offices to make business decisions in close proximity to clients in ways that meet the needs of their individual markets, while remaining consistent with the firm's culture and values.

"This merger allows us to provide more value to our clients, with more expertise and capabilities in more places," said John J. Hern, Jr., CEO of Clark Hill PLC and the combined firm. "We're investing in client relationships of all sizes while staying core to the common DNA which has made both firms successful for more than a century."

The combined firm will offer clients specialized legal knowledge and extensive experience and resources in practice areas such as:

• Banking and Finance Law
• Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Law
• Technology and Intellectual Property Law
• Corporate Law
• Litigation
• Employment Law
• Insurance and Reinsurance
• Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
• Construction and Real Estate Law
• Manufacturing and Distribution
• Bankruptcy and Financial Reorganization

Additionally, the merger will provide a strong foundation in which to develop new legal practice areas.

"The Clark Hill Thorp Reed merger provides our current clients with increased depth and services," said Jeffrey J. Conn, who will assume a seat on the Executive Committee of the combined firm and will serve as Partner in Charge of the firm's Pittsburgh office. "Our two firms have similar cultures, governance and business structures, which creates a solid platform to continue to provide value to our clients and allows for a seamless transition. For example, the combined firm's servicing rates will remain consistent at our current levels. The merger provides our firm with opportunities to grow in our current markets, as well as expand into new markets. I am confident our clients will be pleased with the additional capacity and expertise that will come with the combined firm."

James K. Goldberg, partner at Thorp Reed & Armstrong, will also join the combined firm's Executive Committee when the merger is completed.

Founded in 1895 in Pittsburgh, Thorp Reed and its nearly 100 attorneys have gained a reputation as lawyers who exemplify the profession's best practices, and lawyers who other lawyers turn to when they need counsel. The Firm supports a wide variety of clients' needs within the practice areas of corporate law, litigation, and financial and real estate transactions. Businesses, financial institutions, contractors, public and governmental entities, healthcare and not-for-profit organizations of all sizes, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to the middle market and entrepreneurs, rely on Thorp Reed for quality legal services.

Founded in 1890 in Detroit, Clark Hill PLC is an entrepreneurial, full-service law firm serving clients in all areas of business legal services, government and public affairs, and personal legal services. Its more than 200 experienced attorneys and other professionals consistently deliver the results and solutions that its clients have come to trust.

www.clarkhill.com | www.thorpreed.com

SOURCE Clark Hill PLC