Quinn Emanuel says it's had 'very preliminary' merger talks with Williams & Connolly
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Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has had “very preliminary” talks of a potential merger with Williams & Connolly, according to Quinn Emanuel managing partner John Quinn.
Quinn issued a statement following a report of merger discussions by Legal Business, the Am Law Daily (sub. req.) reports.
“It is true that we had a meeting on this subject but it was very preliminary and we don’t know what, if anything, will come of this,” Quinn said.
Williams & Connolly in a statement responded that no merger with any firm is imminent or on the horizon.
“While Quinn Emanuel is an excellent law firm, we are happy just the way we are. We have no plans to merge with them or any other law firm,” said Dane Butswinkas, chairman of Williams & Connolly.
Both firms have a litigation focus along with significant intellectual property practices, according to the Am Law Daily. But there are differences in profitability.
Willams & Connolly has 117 equity partners earning an average of $1.595 million in profits. Quinn Emanuel has 142 equity partners earning an average of $5.015 million in profits.
Williams & Connolly’s is based in Washington, D.C., with a New York presence. Quinn Emanuel has eight U.S. offices, including headquarters in Los Angeles, and 13 foreign offices.