Ruden McClosky is Reportedly Deep in Merger Discussions With Benesch Firm
Following a tough period in which Ruden McClosky closed offices, made staff layoffs and held back some partner pay following lawyer defections, a co-managing partner of the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based firm said in an e-mail several months ago that “things are clearly moving in the right direction.”
Now it appears that the 63-attorney firm may be moving quickly toward a merger with Benesch. The Daily Business Review (sub. req.) reports that the two are talking seriously about a melding of their practices and says Benesch lawyers were at Ruden’s offices for two days last week for discussions.
Benesch is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has 175 attorneys in offices in five states and China. So far, all its United States operations are in the Midwest (Cleveland, Columbus and Indianpolis) and a well-traveled business corridor between suburban New York City and Wilmington, Del. that is connected by trains (White Plains, N.Y., Philadelphia and Wilmington).
Both firms have business practices, including a real estate focus at Ruden McClosky that contributed to the firm’s troubles after a global recession hit several years ago.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “After 18% Pay Cut, Layoffs, Defections, Etc., Revamped Ruden McClosky Is Now ‘Poised to Grow’”
ABAJournal.com: “‘Poised to Grow’ Ruden McClosky Lays Off 16 Staff, Including 20-Year Secretaries”
ABAJournal.com: “Ruden McClosky Closes 3 Offices, Says in Email ‘Things are Clearly Moving in the Right Direction’”
