Arent Fox, Schiff Hardin Union Marks Return of Deal Appetite (2)

The Arent Fox and Schiff Hardin planned merger shows law firms are shaking off a hesitancy to deals brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Analysts expect a surge in activity after the pandemic slowed mergers to 33 this year through the third quarter and 40 last year, based on data compiled by Fairfax Associates. The consultancy tracked 59 mergers in 2019 and reported an average of 44 mergers per year from 2011 to 2020.

“It feels like everybody wants to talk with everybody,” said Kent Zimmermann, a partner at legal consultancy Zeughauser Group, who advised Schiff Hardin on the merger. ...