Mergers and Acquisitions

We have worked with dozens of firms over the years throughout all phases of the merger and acquisition process.  Our role can vary situation to situation but typically involves:

  • Helping firms identify the strategic need or desire to merge.
  • Helping firms identify and contact potential merger partners.
  • Helping the candidate firms assess the strategic value and review the combination.
  • Helping the candidate firms review common deal breakers early in the process and develop reasonable solutions when possible.
  • Designing, creating and reviewing analyses comparing financial, operational and strategic factors.
  • Redesigning or modifying various partnership practices for the combined entity including governance policies, partnership structures, partner compensation, partner capital systems, associate compensation systems and practice group structures.
  • Helping develop the terms of the transaction and the term sheet.
  • Assisting firm management to define the strategic case for the combination to their partnerships prior to the vote.
  • Finally, assisting firms with post merger integration to realize the strategic benefits of the combination.

Our ongoing consulting relationships with many merged firms gives us a unique perspective on what works well, what does not work so well and what unanticipated issues arise, often years later.

Following is a selected list of recent mergers and acquisitions in which Hoffman Alvary's involvement was mentioned by the firms in their press announcements or where we have been authorized to disclose our involvement.

  • Arnold & Porter LLP / Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin PC
  • Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP / Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP
  • Troutman Sanders LLP / Ross, Dixon & Bell, LLP
  • Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP / Hölters & Elsing (Germany)
  • Holland & Hart LLP / Hale Lane Peek Dennison and Howard
  • McGuireWoods LLP / Helms Mullis & Wicker, PLLC
  • Dewey Ballantine LLP / LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP
  • Baker & Hostetler LLP / LA office lawyers from Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C.
  • Day, Berry & Howard LLP / Pitney Hardin LLP
  • Edwards & Angell LLP / Palmer & Dodge LLP
  • Ropes & Gray LLP / Fish & Neave
  • Wilmer Cutler Pickering LLP / Hale and Dorr LLP
  • Ropes & Gray LLP / Reboul, MacMurray, Hewitt & Maynard

We have been involved in many merger discussions beyond those that result in consummated mergers.  Sometimes, careful consideration and review throughout the process will identify areas of incompatibility or strategic differences.  Unlike many of our competitors, Hoffman Alvary bills for our services by the hour and does not charge success fees.  This fee structure allows us to be truly objective.  Many times our best service to our clients is when we advise against a potential merger.  Of course, these terminated negotiations are confidential.