Merging Law Firms Face Challenge of Creating New Identity

Law operations that rely on mergers to grow—with some combining multiple times over short periods—must wrestle with setting a new identity for the firm.

While merger partners in advance vet questions such as financial compatibility and hourly rates, they often put decisions about other issues central to the new firm’s culture off until later, said Laura Saklad, former chief operating officer at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe. These include how much control partners have, ways lawyers develop business and factors that dictate pay, she said.

“It’s in the post-decision, pre-close phase where you have to deal with these things,” said Saklad, ...