Almost exactly two years after it began as a 10-attorney outpost of Big Law veterans, Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres has announced it's combining with a trusts and estates firm to increase its mix of corporate and litigation services.

The Chicago boutique said this week it is combining with seven lawyers from Hamilton Thies & Lorch. The move is official Jan. 1 and will bring Croke Fairchild up to 50 lawyers.