Cozen O'Connor leadership said as recently as last week that it was looking to grow in the Midwest this year, and, according to one media report, that may happen sooner rather than later if merger talks with Chicago's Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson result in a union.

Crain's Chicago Business first reported March 27 that Cozen O'Connor was in merger discussions with 71-lawyer Meckler Bulger, citing a source close to the negotiations.

The firms were relatively mum on the discussions. Meckler Bulger co-chairman Bruce Meckler, who founded the firm in 1994 with a few other lawyers, did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Cozen O'Connor CEO Michael Heller said the firm doesn't discuss merger talks.