Like the rest of Pittsburgh, Techburgher is still recovering from last night’s Steeler Superbowl victory. Hard competing with those headlines. Despite the euphoria, it’s back to business. On Friday, the Pittsburgh Technology Council received some interesting news from one of its member law firm companies K&L Gates. K&L has several local tech companies for clients and has been an on-going supporter of the Council and the region’s tech industry for many years. Looks like the law firm is getting even more depth with a merger: Details follow:
Partners at K&L Gates LLP and Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP voted overwhelmingly in favor of a combination of firms, effective March 1, 2009. The combined firm will comprise approximately 1,900 lawyers in 31 offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, and expands K&L Gates’ domestic offerings to include the strategically significant legal markets of Chicago and San Diego.
The combined firm will have offices in Anchorage, Austin, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Worth, Frankfurt, Harrisburg, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Orange County, Palo Alto, Paris, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Spokane/Coeur d’Alene, Taipei, and Washington, D.C.
Strategic advantages resulting from the combination include:
Global Reach for Chicago and San Diego Businesses: The combined firm will provide businesses and enterprises in the economically vibrant markets of Chicago and San Diego access to one of the legal profession’s few credible three-continent platforms, including offices in global financial and commercial centers, world capitals, and other key markets.
Leading Practices: In addition to enhancing the existing strengths of both firms in such areas as investment management, intellectual property, corporate transactions, bankruptcy, and real estate, the combination also adds a K&L Gates presence in the key life sciences market of San Diego. At the same time, with two dozen Bell Boyd lawyers joining the already formidable Washington, D.C., office of K&L Gates, the combined firm’s presence in the U.S. capital will grow to approximately 250 lawyers and policy professionals.
Enhanced Domestic Coverage: K&L Gates’ entry to the Chicago and San Diego markets expands the firm’s domestic footprint to 23 U.S. offices – now including the world’s fourth-largest legal market in Chicago – and creates greater opportunities for current and prospective clients of both firms. With more than 200 lawyers in Chicago, K&L Gates’ Chicago office will be among the largest of any non-Chicago-based firm.
