Are Heller Ehrman and Baker & McKenzie Discussing a Merger?
A spokesman for Heller Ehrman is sidestepping questions about whether the law firm has held merger talks with Baker & McKenzie.
Director of communications Patrick Bustamante told the Recorder that 600-lawyer Heller Ehrman “is not considering” a merger with 3,300-lawyer Baker & McKenzie. When pressed later, he did not talk about what happened in the past. “I don’t know that I can go into that kind of detail or comment at all,” he said.
Bustamante went on to say that no formal talks are currently under way. “I’m talking about us being in formal discussions with any particular firm,” he told the Recorder. “There’s nothing to talk about, or no formal announcement with any firm, including Baker & McKenzie.”
The publication sought a comment in response to merger rumors. About 35 partners left Heller in the last year, and its revenue was down 3 percent in 2007. The Recorder reported Tuesday that two litigation partners had left for Covington and Burling. Baker & McKenzie has about 3,300 lawyers. Consultants said a merger between the two firms would be positive for both.
Updated at 6:08 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, to note the Heller partner defections.
