Cozen O'Connor is set to significantly bolster its Chicago presence with the acquisition of 60 lawyers from 70-attorney Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson, the firms said Thursday morning.

The partnerships of both firms voted to approve the combination, which, with Cozen O'Connor's existing lawyers in Chicago, would give the combined firm 60 lawyers in the city. Cozen O'Connor will also open in San Francisco, where Meckler Bulger had 15 lawyers. Meckler Bulger's small Phoenix office is also part of the deal, which is expected to be completed by June 1.

There were about 10 lawyers who did not want to be part of the deal and will be moving to Chicago-based Hinshaw & Culbertson, according to both Cozen O'Connor CEO Michael Heller and Meckler Bulger co-chairman Bruce Meckler. A call to Hinshaw was not returned by press time.