Clark Hill Merges With Phoenix Business Law Firm Ryley Carlock

Clark Hill has has combined with Phoenix-based business law firm Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, bolstering its presence in Arizona and the Southwest.

The merger gives Clark Hill, an AmLaw 200 firm, a new Ryley Carlock team of 18 lawyers plus support staff. Clark Hill already has an office in Scottsdale, Ariz., with 21 attorneys on site.

Riley Carlock’s managing shareholder, James Brophy, is member-in-charge of the Phoenix office.

“RCA and Clark Hill share a similar culture and vision regarding client service, the practice of law, and community commitment,” said John Hensien, CEO of Clark Hill, in a statement. “This combination with such a highly respected firm provides additional access to clients and legal talent to further our goals in this market.”

Ryley Carlock was one of the first firms in the country to create a practice group that focused solely on eDiscovery and complex document review, according to the statement.

Clark Hill’s new team includes two project management attorneys, Joseph Ludlow and Lisa Waldin, who will be part of Clark Hill’s Information Governance 360 business unit.

In the 2021 AmLaw 200 rankings, Clark Hill placed 109th, up three spots from the prior year’s list, with gross revenues of $309 million and $633,000 in profits per equity partner.

Clark Hill was founded in 1890 in Detroit. The firm boasts 27 offices that include six in Texas and two overseas posts in Dublin and Mexico City.

The Dublin office also was boosted by another merger announced last month, when the firm combined with the Irish commercial litigation boutique Eames Solicitors.