For Merging Firms, Scale Is Perpetually in Style
The pursuit of scale among Am Law 200 firms is showcased by two recent mergers: Ballard Spahr’s merger with Lane Powell on January 1, 2025, expanding its presence into the Pacific Northwest, and Frost Brown Todd’s upcoming merger with Gibbons, set for early 2026, marking its entry into the Northeast legal market. These mergers underscore that achieving scale is a key motivation for law firms, as they seek to quickly establish a presence in critical markets by merging with mid-sized and regional firms.