Rattet PLLC, a three-lawyer bankruptcy law firm in White Plains, is merging with midsize firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, according to its principal Robert Rattet.

Rattet said in a brief interview in Manhattan bankruptcy court Thursday that the merger would be effective Jan. 1, and that his firm's space would become the Westchester office of Davidoff Hutcher. An unspecified number of support staff are also making the move.

Davidoff Hutcher lists 63 lawyers on its website, most of whom are in Manhattan. It also has lawyers in Washington, D.C., and other parts of New York state.

Currently, Davidoff Hutcher lists four attorneys on the bankruptcy page of its website. The tie-up with Rattet comes as some firms anticipate that 10 years of economic expansion may soon come to an end and look to bulk up their bankruptcy groups.

Rattet is also one of many small law firms that have looked to combine with larger firms in recent years. Some small firm leaders have cited cost pressures, increasing competition and succession planning as reasons for completing such mergers.

Lawyers from Rattet and Davidoff Hutcher were both present at arguments Thursday in the bankruptcy of New York employment litigator Jeffrey Liddle and his firm Liddle & Robinson. They were there representing Counsel Financial, which has lent millions of dollars to Liddle's firm.

Rattet could not be reached immediately for an interview Friday.

Jeffrey Citron, Davidoff Hutcher's managing partner, was not available for an interview but said in an emailed statement that adding the Rattet group is part of a strategy to expand the firm's bankruptcy and creditor rights practice.

"We have known Robert Rattet for many years and we've always had enormous respect for him as one of the premiere attorneys in his practice area," the statement said. "We consider the addition of Robert to be a real coup for the firm and it will immediately boost our bankruptcy and creditor rights practice into one of the best in New York."