Arnold Porter acquires SF firm Howard Rice

Washington-based law firm Arnold & Porter is set to acquire mid-size San Francisco firm Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin. The merger will brin Howard Rice’s headcount of 80 lawyers under the Arnold & Porter banner, boosting the latter’s numbers to more than 800 attorneys. The combined firm will lay off 27 staff, most of whom will be cut from Howard Rice. Arnold & Porter Managing Partner Richard Alexander reflected on the growth in California: “We view the West Coast as an important part of our national and international strategy,” he said. “They’re a highly talented law firm, so the talent proposition here was fantastic.” Howard Rice Chairman Doug Winthrop is will be co-head of Arnold & Porter’s San Francisco office with current Bay Area Chairman Trenton Norris.

Arnold Porter acquires SF firm Howard Rice washingtonpost.com Thu, Dec 8, 2011