The 2026 Law Firm COO & CFO Forum agenda includes a session on growth from specialization to selective M&A, focused on integrating growth without losing speed, culture or client trust.
The Private Equity Legal Alliance released From Practice to Platform, focused on structuring modern law firm MSOs from LOI to post-transaction integration.
Illinois lawmakers passed legislation aimed at curbing private-equity influence in law firms through MSO structures.
Holland & Knight's Trisha Rich and Joshua Porte contributed to the PELA guide, focusing on the ethical parameters of MSO and ABS partnerships that can support outside investment in law firms.
A Law360 analysis quoted by Holland & Knight attorneys Joshua Porte and Trisha Rich argues that MSO investment in BigLaw is not a question of whether but when.
Holland & Knight, which maintains a dedicated practice for structuring MSO transactions, reports closing more than 15 law firm MSO deals in the last six months and approximately 100 more in development.
Ashurst and Perkins Coie partners approved a merger expected to close in Q3 2026, creating a more than 3,000-lawyer, 50-office firm with roughly $2.
The Ashurst Perkins Coie deal gives Ashurst deeper access to the lucrative US market while giving Perkins Coie a larger international platform.
Bird & Bird reported revenue of €672.
Taft’s completion release for the Morris, Manning & Martin merger says the combined firm has more than 1,250 attorneys, 25 offices and projected revenues exceeding $1 billion.
Fairfax Associates tracked 31 completed law firm mergers in Q1 2026, up from 28 in Q1 2025, including eight mid-size combinations where the smaller firm had 20 to 100 lawyers.
Fairfax notes that several announced large combinations expected later in 2026 are transatlantic, including Taylor Wessing with Winston & Strawn, Ashurst with Perkins Coie, and Hogan Lovells with Cadwalader.
Fairfax Associates tracked 31 completed mergers in Q1 2026, compared with 28 in Q1 2025, and reported eight mid-size combinations where the smaller firm had 20 to 100 lawyers.
Above the Law reports layoffs at McDermott Will & Schulte after the 2025 McDermott/Schulte combination and its top-20 Am Law 100 debut.
Fairfax Associates tracked 31 completed law-firm mergers in Q1 2026, up from 28 in Q1 2025, with eight mid-size combinations compared with one a year earlier.
Citi Hildebrandt’s advisory connects technology investment, operational efficiency and consolidation cost pressure.
Fairfax Associates reports 31 completed law-firm mergers in Q1 2026, including eight mid-size mergers compared with one in Q1 2025, and points to expected large transatlantic combinations involving Taylor Wessing/Winston & Strawn, Ashurst/Perkins Coie and Hogan Lovells/Cadwalader.
Citi Hildebrandt’s advisory connects technology investment, operational efficiency and consolidation cost pressure.
Fairfax Associates reports 31 completed law-firm mergers in Q1 2026, including eight mid-size mergers compared with one in Q1 2025, and points to expected large transatlantic combinations involving Taylor Wessing/Winston & Strawn, Ashurst/Perkins Coie and Hogan Lovells/Cadwalader.