Litchford & Christopher Joins Am Law 200 Firm of Baker Donelson

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orlando law firm of Litchford & Christopher Professional Association has expanded its practice by joining with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, a firm with more than 620 attorneys and advisors across 18 offices in seven states and Washington, D.C. The merger gives Baker Donelson its first Florida location and, with the Firm's move into Texas in October, marks the second new market Baker Donelson has added to its footprint in the last month.  

Through the merger, Baker Donelson gains six attorneys from Litchford & Christopher: shareholders Donald E. Christopher and Hal K. Litchford, senior counsel Keith E. Rounsaville, of counsel Richard C. Swank, and associates Christine M. Ho and Marisa Rosen. The combined firm will continue with the name of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC.  It will also continue as a member of Geneva Group International of Zurich, Switzerland, the global network of independent accounting and law firms of which Litchford & Christopher has been a member.

Mr. Christopher, who will serve as office managing shareholder of the Orlando location, said, "Being able to significantly expand the range of legal counsel that we can offer to Litchford & Christopher's clients was key for us.  Just as important, we wanted to do so with a firm that shares our commitment to personalized client service. Baker Donelson brings all that and more. Our clients now have access to an even broader range of experience and increased resources with a law firm that can be a full-service partner for all their legal needs.  At the same time, we expect to continue handling litigation for other attorneys' clients when a conflict or lack of local presence prevents those lawyers from representing their clients in a particular case."

"The attorneys at Litchford & Christopher have the reputation, experience and client-focused approach that we have been seeking for our entry into Florida," added Ben C. Adams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Baker Donelson. "Merging with Litchford & Christopher not only allows us to gain considerable antitrust experience, it also broadens the representation and services that we provide to our numerous clients who do business in Florida, particularly in the areas of financial services, commercial mortgage backed securities and health care."

As a litigation firm, Litchford & Christopher has earned a reputation over the past 26 years for its skill in resolving, as well as taking to trial, cases that involve sizeable business and financial disputes.  The firm's experience includes disputes involving antitrust and trade regulation law, corporate control, financial and securities fraud, intellectual property litigation, real property claims and mortgage foreclosures, partnership dissolution and creditors' rights in bankruptcy.  Litchford & Christopher has also maintained an active general corporate and real estate transactional practice for both large and smaller business clients.

A full-service law firm, Baker Donelson provides representation in more than 30 practice areas to clients throughout the United States and the world. From its origins as a small Tennessee law firm established in 1888 by James F. Baker, grandfather of Baker Donelson senior counsel and former U.S. Senator, White House Chief of Staff and Ambassador to Japan Howard H. Baker Jr., Baker Donelson has grown to become the 73rd largest law firm in the U.S., with more than 620 attorneys and public policy advisors, all seamlessly connected across 18 offices to serve virtually any legal and policy need.

With the establishment of its Florida presence, Baker Donelson's growth continues.  The Orlando office gives the Firm its third new location this year.  On October 24, the Firm announced its merger with the Houston law firm of Spain Chambers, marking Baker Donelson's entry into Texas. In April, the Firm established its second office in Alabama, adding a presence in Montgomery.

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC gives clients access to a team of more than 620 attorneys and public policy advisors representing more than 30 practice areas to serve a wide range of legal needs. Clients receive knowledgeable guidance from experienced, multi-disciplined industry and client service teams, all seamlessly connected across 18 offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.  Ranked as the 73rd largest law firm in the U.S., Baker Donelson is recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For."

SOURCE Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC