Law Firm Mergers in U.S. Rise 79% on Smaller Deals

Mergers among U.S. law firms rose 79 percent through the first three quarters of this year, industry consultant Altman Weil Inc. said.

There were 14 law firm mergers and acquisitions announced in the third quarter, according to Altman Weil’s MergerLine. The majority of the deals involved acquisitions of firms with 35 or fewer lawyers, continuing the trend toward smaller deals. There were 43 deals announced from January to September, Altman Weil said today in a statement.