Name Partner Quits Bromberg Boutique in Merger Spat
A 30-year-old Boston-based intellectual property boutique has abruptly changed its name, as one of its co-founders and another partner announced their resignation yesterday over other partners’ refusal to consider a merger.
In a letter yesterday, co-founder Lee Bromberg and another partner, Erik Belt, said they will resign from Bromberg & Sunstein on July 27 to join an unidentified larger firm, reports the Boston Globe. The newspaper attributes to an unidentified “spokeswoman” for the two a claim that they were asked to resign from the firm because of their efforts to promote a merger.
Neither Bromberg nor Belt is currently listed on the firm’s 32-lawyer attorney roster.
The firm is now known as Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers and the remaining co-founder, Bruce Sunstein, confirms that it is not looking to merge with another legal partnership. ‘‘We love practicing as an independent firm. And for good or for ill, we’re going to continue to do that,’’ he tells the Globe.
“To best serve the needs of our clients, the firm … will remain independent and not entertain merger overtures from large international law firms,” reiterates managing partner Robert Kann in a letter (PDF) to clients and friends posted on the firm’s website.
“We believe that we are best able to deliver high-quality, client-focused patent and trademark prosecution, litigation and licensing services as an independent law firm,” his letter continues. “In addition, we prize the professional satisfaction of working with a proven team of colleagues with deep knowledge of this challenging practice area.”
Kann’s letter also curtly notes Bromberg will no longer be a partner of the firm and wishes him well. No mention is made of Belt’s departure.
