Leading Southern Law Firms Bradley Arant and Boult Cummings Merge Merger creates 350+attorney firm with strategic geographic positioning and expanded service offerings
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., and NASHVILLE, Tenn. LawFuel – Legal Newswire – (December 4, 2008) – Two of the most respected law firms in the Southeast, Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP and Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry, PLC, today announced that both firms have agreed to a merger. Subject to resolution of client conflicts and other customary conditions, the merger is expected to become effective January 1, 2009. The new firm, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, will have more than 350 attorneys and seven offices in four strategic states — Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee — as well as Washington, D.C.
“We are extremely pleased to announce the combination of these two firms, each with rich, successful histories, to create an expanded depth of expertise and practice area breadth that offers even more to our clients,” said John B. (Beau) Grenier, managing partner of Bradley Arant Rose & White.
“It was important to both firms that we pursue a merger that facilitated true strategic growth, for both the short- and long-term. This new partnership more than achieves that joint goal,” noted Grenier, who will also serve as the managing partner for the new firm. Added Jay Hardcastle, managing partner of Boult, Cummings, Conner & Berry: “This merger brings together two strongly established firms that already share the same core values and similar cultures.
It will give us a much deeper bench that will benefit our clients immediately because we are expanding our areas of practice, industry knowledge and geographic presence.” Bradley Arant Boult Cummings will be one of the largest law firms in the Southeast, with nationally recognized practices in health care, commercial real estate, construction, finance, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate securities, among others.
Among the combined firm’s partners, 57 percent are listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2009, one of the highest percentages among major firms nationwide. Chambers USA consistently ranks Bradley Arant in the top tier of law firms for banking/finance, corporate/commercial, labor and employment, litigation, and real estate.
The annual guide gives similar nods to Boult Cummings in banking/finance and real estate, along with significant mentions of its highly regarded healthcare, M&A, litigation and labor and employment practices. The new firm’s offices will be located in Birmingham, Ala.; Nashville, Tenn.; Washington, D.C.; Jackson, Miss.; Montgomery, Ala.; Huntsville, Ala., and Charlotte, N.C.
“Our goal with this partnership is to provide the best possible representation of our clients across an expanded geographic base with key service offerings that respond directly to what our clients and the market requires of us,” said Grenier.
“The ability to offer broader expertise and greater specialization were major factors driving this merger. We have always been client-driven, and that remains our focus.”
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings will also continue to explore opportunities for strategic growth, particularly with respect to recruiting. “Further growth is on the way,” noted Hardcastle.
“Not only will our clients see increased coverage and depth, we are confidant that we will attract top-tier attorneys who will see an energetic platform from which to grow their practices.” Grenier and Hardcastle are available for interviews. About Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP Founded in 1871, Bradley Arant Rose & White has more than 250 attorneys, and is the largest law firm headquartered in Alabama and one of the largest in the South.
The firm maintains offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. Bradley Arant serves clients in numerous industries including accounting, automotive, banking and finance, biotechnology, construction, education, emerging business, energy, equipment leasing, forest products, health care, insurance, manufacturing, materials and aggregate production, media and communications, mining, municipal and public finance, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, public utilities, real estate, retail, steel, technology, telecommunications, textiles, transportation, and venture capital.
About Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry, PLC Founded in 1910, Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry has grown to become one of the largest law firms in Nashville with more than 100 attorneys serving clients locally, nationally and internationally. Boult Cummings provides legal services to privately held and publicly traded companies across the United States. The firm serves clients in numerous industries including health care, energy, banking, hospitality, insurance, real estate, finance and manufacturing
