Arnstein Plans Major Growth in Florida
In the news last month for its plan to eliminate its summer program, Arnstein & Lehr is now reportedly planning a major expansion in Florida.
The Chicago-based law firm, which has 143 lawyers on its attorney roster, plans to double its Florida contingent from 43 to as many as 90 lawyers, reports the National Law Journal in an article reprinted by New York Lawyer (reg. req.). The firm presently has five offices in Florida, with four in Miami and nearby south Florida, and the fifth in Tampa, not far from the state’s west coast.
Ray Werner, a real estate lawyer who chairs the firm, says Arnstein plans over the next few years to hire attorneys who will give it a Florida presence in all key practice areas. He says the firm now has plenty of litigators in Florida, but not enough business practitioners in areas such as bankruptcy and health care, the legal publication reports.
However, he adds in an e-mail subsequently forwarded by a representative to ABAJournal.com: “Growing the presence of our firm in Florida and expanding local office practices will not be focused on any one type of lawyer. Adding experienced litigators, as well as lawyers focused on business areas such as bankruptcy and health care, will both be necessary to better balance and strengthen our services in Florida moving forward.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Arnstein & Lehr is Latest to Drop Summer Assoc. Program”
Updated at 7:30 p.m., central time, on September 5, 2008, to incorporate e-mail comment from Ray Werner.
