Boston-based litigation firm Manning Gross + Massenburg has acquired Donovan Hatem, a full-service firm focused on representing design professionals, adding 21 lawyers in Boston and New York with the combination effective on Thursday.

The merger follows a trend of increasing merger activity among firms, with consulting company Fairfax Associates reporting 29 completed mergers during the first half 2024, up from previous years. The deal also adds to recent growth by Manning Gross, also known as MG+M, which earlier this year grew to 15 offices after launching in Dallas and New Jersey.