Womble Bond Dickinson to Combine with Lewis Roca, Forming Powerhouse Law Firm

In an exciting development, Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca have announced that the two firms are combining, creating a formidable law firm with over 1,300 attorneys across 37 offices in the US and UK. This powerful alliance, effective January 1, 2025, will operate under Womble Bond Dickinson, led by Chair and CEO Merrick Benn and Vice Chair Kenneth Van Winkle.

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Press Release

Transcript

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 In an exciting development, Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca have announced that the two firms are combining, creating a formidable law firm with over 1,300 attorneys across 37 offices in the US and UK. This powerful alliance, effective January 1, 2025, will operate under Womble Bond Dickinson, led by Chair and CEO Merrick Benn and Vice Chair Kenneth Van Winkle. 

This combination enhances our firms' commitment to growth in innovation-driven regions. Lewis Roca expands Womble's reach in the Southwest and Mountain West, while Womble broadens Lewis Roca’s national influence through our platforms in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Both firms will have increased presence in California, while Lewis Roca gains strategic international reach through Womble’s eight offices in the UK. 

“One of the first parallels that emerged between our two firms was a shared strategic vision for serving clients in fast-growing cities and innovation hubs,” said Betty Temple, Chair and CEO. 

Merrick Benn, Chair and CEO-Elect, of Womble Bond Dickinson added We have been energized by the strong cultural alignment and connections we’ve experienced already and look forward to further integrating our teams. Womble and Lewis Roca both have a strong client-focused culture, and clients of both firms can continue to expect outstanding service. 

Our combined firm will gain depth in finance, bankruptcy, restructuring, intellectual property, real estate, complex litigation, and corporate securities. It also enhances our practice in financial services, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, and technology.

“This combination is a natural fit and a clear win-win, with both firms placing a high value on genuine and long-term relationships with clients and colleagues, a shared focus on collaborating with transparency and integrity, and a wide range of complementary practices that offer a unique value proposition for clients,” said Kenneth Van Winkle, Managing Partner of Lewis Roca. “Bringing together our vast capabilities, resources, and experience is a rare opportunity to take both firms to new heights and chart a path for our ongoing success. We could not be more excited about the many opportunities that lie ahead for our clients, attorneys, and professional staff.” 

With a planned effective date of January 1, 2025, we’re excited about the possibilities this partnership offers to innovate and serve our clients better. Both firms' shared commitment to providing exceptional client service and cultivating strong relationships will only enhance our capabilities to better understand and meet client needs.

For more information about the combination, visit our website or follow the links in the show notes.

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