ROCHESTER — Harris Beach PLLC — which is based in Rochester and has offices in Syracuse, Ithaca, and other locations in New York — plans to combine with a law firm, Murtha Cullina LLP, that has offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and White Plains in Westchester County. The new combined law firm will be known as […]
ROCHESTER — Harris Beach PLLC — which is based in Rochester and has offices in Syracuse, Ithaca, and other locations in New York — plans to combine with a law firm, Murtha Cullina LLP, that has offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and White Plains in Westchester County. The new combined law firm will be known as Harris Beach Murtha, per the May 7 joint announcement. The firms contend that, “Together, Harris Beach Murtha will offer greater strength and reach throughout an expanded geographical footprint on the Northeast Corridor and throughout upstate and Western New York, accelerating the growth strategy of both firms.” Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina will continue to operate as separate, independent entities until the combination has been completed on Jan. 1, 2025. During this period, Chris Jagel, CEO of Harris Beach, and Andy Corea, managing partner of Murtha Cullina, will co-lead an interim advisory committee. “This Harris Beach Murtha combination is an exciting, transformational move and proof of our investment in our clients,” Chris Jagel, CEO of Harris Beach, said in the announcement. “Both firms have a long history of excellence and client-driven growth in our respective markets and are well-aligned culturally and with many of the same practice areas. The combination will enable us to extend our reach to provide even more diverse and innovative services and capabilities over a larger geographic footprint.” “We are excited by this strategic opportunity to combine the strengths of our two firms, expanding our geographic reach, broadening the scope of our services, and deepening our bench of experienced attorneys to offer a more comprehensive suite of legal services to our clients,” Andy Corea, managing partner of Murtha Cullina, said. In their announcement, the firms say, “the synergies between the two law firms will benefit clients of both firms through a significantly increased knowledge base and expanded service areas.” Together, Harris Beach Murtha will have more than 250 lawyers across 15 offices in several states, and more than 250 years of combined legal experience. Separately, Harris Beach has 183 attorneys, while Murtha Cullina has 72, Joli Plucknette-Farmen, manager of communications at Harris Beach, tells CNYBJ in an email. Harris Beach serves clients throughout New York and across the nation. The firm has offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, Saratoga Springs, Albany, White Plains, Long Island and New York City, as well as New Haven, Connecticut; Washington D.C.; and Newark, New Jersey. Murtha Cullina serves clients throughout New England and across the U.S. The firm has offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Stamford, New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut; and White Plains, N.Y. The proposed combination is subject to customary conditions, the firms said, including a vote of the partners of each firm to approve the operating agreement for the combined entity. The vote is expected to take place in the next several months, with the operating agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, pending completion of all necessary reviews and closing conditions.