Ballard Spahr and Lane Powell announced Sept. 9 that the firms have agreed to combine, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The combined firm will be called Ballard Spahr and will have more than 750 attorneys across 18 U.S. offices.
“Lane Powell is a first-rate law firm with strength in areas we want to expand and an excellent reputation in a region that is a strategic priority for our firm and our clients,” said Peter Michaud, Ballard Spahr chair, in a press release. “Their lawyers have the skill and experience to help our clients solve their most complex challenges. Our firms share strength in litigation, transactions, and real estate. And we have a number of clients who would like to see us expand to the Pacific Northwest.”
Michaud added that he came to Ballard Spahr through its merger with Lindquist & Vennum in 2018. “That combination was an extraordinary success for our clients, our lawyers, and our firm. This one holds as much promise,” he said.
The merger expands Ballard Spahr’s geographic footprint into the Pacific Northwest, with new offices in Anchorage, Portland and Seattle. The Seattle office will be Ballard Spahr’s largest office outside of Philadelphia.
Barbara Duffy, Lane Powell’s president, said in a press release that the firm celebrates its 150th anniversary next year, following its most successful year to date.
“As our clients continue to grow, their needs are evolving,” said Duffy. “This combination allows us to materially expand the services we provide while enabling us to preserve what makes Lane Powell so special: a steadfast commitment to our incredible clients in the Pacific Northwest, a standard of service that goes above and beyond, and an inclusive culture where our outstanding professionals have the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
She noted that the combined firm, for a time, will use the name Ballard Spahr Lane Powell in the Pacific Northwest.
According to the release, the merger will increase the service offerings of the firm, including in the practice areas of banking and finance, real estate, litigation, emerging companies and mergers and acquisitions, private client services and life sciences.