Venable Completes Merger With New York's Fitzpatrick Cella
In a year that's been packed with law firm mergers, the deal between Venable and 100-lawyer Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto was one of the largest.
November 01, 2018 at 04:15 PM
3 minute read
Venable offices in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM)
Completing a deal that Venable touted as “a home run” when it was first announced, the Am Law 100 firm has officially merged with New York intellectual property firm Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto.
The merger, announced in late August, sees Washington, D.C.-based Venable double its New York office to more than 160 lawyers and gain a powerful New York-based IP practice. Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has ceased to operate as an independent firm after nearly 50 years in business.
The newly merged firm counts approximately 800 attorneys, making it one of the 50 largest firms in the country. Venable's gross revenue, which has not seen a single year of declining profitability over the last decade, is expected to top $620 million after the deal.
“We are thrilled to officially join Venable, where we can provide our clients with access to an even larger platform and expanded services in business and regulatory law, complex litigation, and legislative affairs,” said the former chair of Fitzpatrick's management committee, Dominick Conde, in a statement.
Conde will now co-chair Venable's IP division along with Justin Pierce, who took over as the group's head in 2017.
“The response from our clients has been extremely positive, and we are excited to roll up our sleeves and begin working together,” he added.
In total, 97 attorneys and 70 staff members from Fitzpatrick have made the move to Venable across its New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles offices. Those lawyers will operate under the name Venable Fitzpatrick, at least initially.
Venable's IP practice now boasts around 170 lawyers, making it one of the largest in the U.S.
“Fitzpatrick has a long-standing reputation as one of the finest IP firms in the country, with an impressive roster of talented attorneys who share our core values and deep commitment to client service,” Venable chairman Stuart Ingis said in a statement.
“This addition to our existing IP practice will benefit our clients who require deep IP support and strengthen the firm as a whole,” added Ingis, who succeeded James Shea as firm chair in 2017.
Ahead of its merger with Fitzpatrick, Venable added veteran IP litigator and Goodwin Procter partner Shane Brun to its San Francisco office this week.
Prior to his addition, Venable expanded its California IP presence by bringing on former Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth IP litigation partner Sarah Brooks in Los Angeles and former Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer associate Benjamin Pelletier as counsel in its patent prosecution practice in San Francisco.
But as the Am Law 100 firm has made strides on the IP front, it also has seen some high-profile departures.
Earlier this week, the firm lost a seven-lawyer real estate group in New York to Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton that includes the former chair of Venable's New York real estate practice and vice chair of its national real estate practice, Peter Koffler.
READ MORE:
Venable Adds 100 Lawyers in Merger With New York's Fitzpatrick Cella
Venable Grabs Goodwin Procter IP Litigator in San Francisco
Venable Group Joins Sheppard Mullin, Bringing 'East Coast Real Estate Credentials'
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