In a strategic move emblematic of the current legal industry trends, Morris Manning & Martin, a venerable midsize firm, has announced its merger with the larger Taft Stettinius & Hollister. This development comes after Morris Manning suffered significant losses, with about one third of its attorneys leaving for competitors such as Fox Rothschild and Reed Smith.

The merger, highlighted by the American Lawyer, marks Taft's third major partnership this year, emphasizing its aggressive expansion strategy. In 2024, Taft reported gross revenues of $701 million, ranking it 79th on the Am Law 100 list. The union with Morris Manning is poised to boost its lawyer count to 1,200 and push its gross revenues near the $1 billion mark.

Despite the initial concerns regarding the quality of talent remaining at Morris Manning after the departures, Taft's managing partner, Robert Hicks, expressed confidence in the merger's value. “Every time we met with Morris Manning, it just got better and better," Hicks stated, affirming the strength of Morris Manning's remaining team and client base.

Morris Manning’s managing partner, Simon Malko, indicated that while the firm had been approached for mergers before, none presented as compelling an opportunity as Taft. The decision to merge seems timely as it combines Taft's robust growth trajectory with Morris Manning's strong market presence in Atlanta and specialized practice areas.

This merger is a significant development in the legal sector, reflecting the ongoing consolidation trends in the industry where larger firms are increasingly absorbing midsize firms to enhance their service offerings and geographical reach. The success of this merger could very well set a precedent for similar moves by other firms aiming to solidify their market positions amidst a competitive landscape.

The merger is expected to close by the end of this year, and industry watchers will be keen to see how this partnership influences both firms' standings in the Am Law 100 rankings.