What's Happening?
Morris Manning, a prominent Atlanta-based law firm, has announced a merger with Taft, a national law firm with over 1,000 attorneys. This strategic move comes after a period of significant departures from Morris Manning, including 22 lawyers who joined Seyfarth Shaw's offices in Atlanta and Charlotte. The merger aims to stabilize and expand Morris Manning's operations, particularly in Atlanta, where the firm currently has around 80 attorneys. The combined firm will operate under both the Taft and Morris Manning brands initially, with plans to double the number of lawyers in Atlanta over the next five to ten years. The merger is part of Taft's broader strategy to expand into the Southeast, following a previous merger in Florida.
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Why It's Important?
The merger between Morris Manning and Taft is significant as it represents a major consolidation in the legal industry, particularly in the Southeast. For Morris Manning, this merger provides an opportunity to stabilize after losing key personnel and to leverage Taft's national platform to offer broader services to clients. For Taft, the merger is a strategic expansion into a key market, enhancing its presence in the Southeast and potentially increasing its influence in the region. This move could impact the competitive landscape of law firms in Atlanta, as the combined entity seeks to attract more clients and talent.
What's Next?
The combined firm's Atlanta office is set to move to the Two Alliance Center in Buckhead by fall 2026. Until then, operations will continue at Morris Manning's current location on Peachtree Road. The merger is expected to lead to aggressive growth in Atlanta, with plans to more than double the number of lawyers in the next decade. Both firms emphasize that this is not an acquisition but a merger, with Morris Manning lawyers having an equal say in governance. The legal community in Atlanta and beyond will be watching closely to see how this merger affects the market dynamics and client relationships.
