Burns & Levinson Ponders Moves After 17 Exit for ArentFox Schiff

Boston-founded Burns & Levinson, which lost 17 people to ArentFox Schiff, is contemplating a future merger with another firm or fortifying itself with hires.

“We are exploring several growth options,” Burns & Levinson said in a statement. Those include “reinforcing our team through high-level lateral hires or a combination with another firm that shares our commitment to a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.”

The 17-member team that went to ArentFox includes eight partners, three counsel, two associates and four patent agents. The move, which follows the April departure of four partners to ArentFox’s automotive team, has helped the firm grow by more than 40% this year in Boston.

Burns & Levinson has been losing lawyers as larger rivals raid them in a bid to bulk up practice areas they view as strengths. Burns & Levinson in May lost a 25-lawyer corporate and finance team, including 13 partners, to Blank Rome, which launched a Boston office.

“We are excited about the possibilities for growth and expansion that we are considering, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead,” Burns & Levinson said in its statement.

ArentFox said in a statement Tuesday that the 17-person hire from Burns & Levinson is a bid to build its technology, life sciences, intellectual property and complex litigation offerings.

“ArentFox Schiff has long had a preeminent IP practice, and one of our strategic goals was to further expand this in Boston with a focus on life sciences, patent, litigation, trademark, and general IP services,” firm chairman Anthony Lupo said in the statement. “Adding this talented team helps us accomplish that goal.”

Joseph Maraia, Dr. Daniel Clarke, Christopher Carroll, Laura Carroll, Brooke Penrose, Paul Pysher and Howard Susser are joining ArentFox as partners in the IP practice. Shepard Davidson is a partner in the complex litigation group. And Shawn P. Foley Bruce D. Jobse, and Joseph P. Quinn are joining as counsel.