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Banking industry

Jacksonville Law Firm Merges with Richmond-Based Giant

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

After over 160 years as a prominent fixture in Jacksonville's legal community, Mahoney, Adams & Criser is ceasing operations today and will re-emerge Friday as a branch office of the Richmond-based law firm McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe. This merger marks a significant expansion for McGuire Woods, which will now have a substantial presence in Jacksonville with over 50 local lawyers. The driving force behind this integration is the impending departure of a major client, Jacksonville-based Barnett Banks Inc., which will be absorbed by NationsBank. McGuire Woods already has a local office in Jacksonville and has been rapidly expanding its presence in the US and internationally.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Mahoney, Adams & Criser law firm has ceased operations after 160 years and will re-open Friday as an office of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe.
  • The merger creates a significant law firm in Jacksonville with over 50 local lawyers and sister offices in seven US cities, Belgium, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
  • David Wells, chairman of the Mahoney firm, and Robert L. Burrus, chairman of McGuire Woods, have signed a merger agreement.
  • Scott S. Cairns will head the new Jacksonville office of McGuire Woods, while Dan Rice will serve as administrative partner.
  • Christine Milton drops her administrative role and returns to being a full-time litigator.
  • The merger was driven by the impending departure of a major client, Jacksonville-based Barnett Banks Inc.
  • McGuire Woods has about 450 lawyers and has been expanding rapidly through mergers and new office openings.

Statistics:

  • 160 years: Length of time Mahoney, Adams & Criser was a fixture in Jacksonville's legal community.
  • 50: Number of local lawyers that will comprise the Jacksonville office of McGuire Woods.
  • 450: Number of lawyers employed by McGuire Woods.
  • 3 years: Length of time McGuire Woods' Jacksonville office has been in operation.
  • 1835: Year McGuire Woods was founded.

Sources:

  • "Mahoney Adams firm to cease operations, re-emerge Friday as office of Richmond firm".

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