US law firm Michael Best expands to California in merger with L.A. firm
By Sara Merken
July 9 (Reuters) -U.S. law firm Michael Best & Friedrich said on Tuesday that it has absorbed a small Los Angeles firm,adding to an uptick in law firm mergers this year.
Milwaukee-founded Michael Best, which has more than 300 lawyers nationally, is entering the California legal market for the first time through its combination with venture capital law firm O&A, P.C. The deal took effect July 1.
The pace of completed mergers picked up slightly in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023, according to data released earlier this month by legal industry consultancy Fairfax Associates. In the second quarter, six of the nine finalized law firm deals were combinations involving at least one small firm.
Eight attorneys and seven business professionals from the O&A firm have joined Michael Best in Los Angeles, according to a Michael Best spokesperson.
Dan Offner founded O&A in 2015 to represent early-stage and larger companies, venture funds and entrepreneurs, Michael Best said.
Offner served as general counsel at Oculus VR, a maker of virtual-reality glasses for gaming, leading up to its $2 billion acquisition by Facebook in 2014. He previously led interactive entertainment practices at large U.S. law firms Loeb & Loeb and Nixon Peabody, according to his LinkedIn account.
O&A's clients have included Oculus VR, Ubisoft, NZXT and Alcon Entertainment, and investors including Arden Road Investments and Formic Ventures, according to its website.
Michael Best works with early-stage companies and investors through its emerging technology practice, which is branded Venture Best. Offner will serve as head of Venture Best in California, and managing partner of the firm's new Los Angeles office.
The smaller firm also operated an online software service to help entrepreneurs launch startups, which Michael Best acquired through the deal.
Michael Best has had "good success" expanding in markets through combinations with smaller firms in recent years, including North Carolina, Colorado and Utah, said firm managing partner David Krutz.
California has remained a hot spot for law firm growth, and several law firms in recent years have expanded in the state through combinations with smaller firms.
Large firms have also entered the state with partner hires from rivals. Weil, Gotshal & Manges said Tuesday that it is opening new offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco with a pair of private equity dealmakers from rival Latham & Watkins.
Reporting by Sara Merken
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