Baker & Hostetler to acquire 68-attorney intellectual property boutique
Baker & Hostetler plans to acquire a 68-attorney Philadelphia-based intellectual property boutique, subject to a partner vote by both firms.
A letter of intent has been signed by BakerHostetler and Woodcock Washburn, and the merger is expected to take place Jan. 1, according to a Friday law firm press release.
The combination will give BakerHostetler, which has 800 lawyers in 11 cities, three new offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Seattle and double the attorney roster in its intellectual property practice.
“As part of our overall growth strategy, we have talked about expanding in major markets where we do not currently have a presence,” said executive partner Steven Kestner of BakerHostetler in the release. “Woodcock Washburn’s offices place us in three important new cities where their attorneys have strong, established client relationships.”
Meanwhile, the merger will broaden the boutique’s offerings and “We’ll be a go-to law firm for technology companies of all types,” said Woodcock partner Joseph Lucci, who serves on the firm’s policy committee.
He will become managing partner of the Philadelphia office when the two firms join forces.
A Philadelphia Business Journal story provides further details.
