Milwaukee-based law firm Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek will merge with Kansas City-based firm Husch Blackwell, the firms announced Friday.
The combined firm will be named Husch Blackwell. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Like many law firms, we continually look for growth opportunities. But we don’t look to grow simply for the sake of growing,” said Greg Smith, CEO and managing partner of Husch Blackwell. “It is essential that our growth is rooted in delivering greater value to our clients, which we firmly believe is achieved through an industry-focused approach, as well as strategic and innovative initiatives to deliver the most efficient, effective service to our clients. This combination meets all of these objectives.”
The merger will be effective on July 1. The combined firm will have more than 700 attorneys and offices in 19 cities, including Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek’s existing offices in Milwaukee, the Town of Brookfield and Madison.
No layoffs are planned and Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek’s existing offices are expected to grow, said Paul Eberle, the firm’s chief executive.
“This is about growth,” he said. “We are combining two great firms.”
Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek and Husch Blackwell both have offices in Chicago. Husch Blackwell also has offices in Kansas City; St. Louis; Springfield, Mo.; Jefferson City, Mo.; Austin, Texas; Dallas; Houston; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Memphis; Lincoln, Neb.; Omaha; Denver; Phoenix; Washington D.C. and London.
The combination of the firms is advantageous for Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek because it will provide resources with more areas of expertise and more geographic reach to service its clients, Eberle said.
“This combination will provide our clients the benefit of deeper, industry-focused experience across a broader geographic platform, which is important to us as we continue to focus on their success,” he said. “In today’s business environment, our clients want their lawyers to understand their industries as well as their legal needs. We are thrilled to offer an expanded knowledge base and resources to draw from while maintaining our Midwestern sensibility and rates.”
