Impact of firm merger on SAs and Incoming Associates Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have a SA position at a big firm that will probably merge with another big firm soon. How does this normally impact SAs and incoming associates. Does it increase the risk of no offer? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Morgan lewis and the European firm?

[TLSModBot]

Depends on the nature of the merger. A merger of equals (especially one that's slow and in name only at first, a la Hogan Lovells, Dentons Decheng, etc.) probably isn't going to impact hiring or offer rates.

In an acquisition, however, the target firm may shed new associates or SAs. I'd be worried if this were your situation.

And of course, the bigger worry is that it was a bad merger or one of desperation that sinks profits for a while as the firm tries to adjust and synergize, which can cost some jobs in the meanwhile. But that's more of a 2-years-down-the-line worry in most cases.

[Anonymous User]

Depends on the nature of the merger. A merger of equals (especially one that's slow and in name only at first, a la Hogan Lovells, Dentons Decheng, etc.) probably isn't going to impact hiring or offer rates.

In an acquisition, however, the target firm may shed new associates or SAs. I'd be worried if this were your situation.

And of course, the bigger worry is that it was a bad merger or one of desperation that sinks profits for a while as the firm tries to adjust and synergize, which can cost some jobs in the meanwhile. But that's more of a 2-years-down-the-line worry in most cases.

Good feedback. Both firms are V100 - so I am hoping for a hogan lovells type situation.

[Anonymous User]

Morgan lewis and the European firm?

No - two US firms.

[dabigchina]

Just a 2l so take this with a grain of salt. If this is Arnold and Porter and Kaye Scholer you should be ok. They seem to be reasonably profitable although I question the wisdom of the merger.

[TLSModBot]

Depends on the nature of the merger. A merger of equals (especially one that's slow and in name only at first, a la Hogan Lovells, Dentons Decheng, etc.) probably isn't going to impact hiring or offer rates.

In an acquisition, however, the target firm may shed new associates or SAs. I'd be worried if this were your situation.

And of course, the bigger worry is that it was a bad merger or one of desperation that sinks profits for a while as the firm tries to adjust and synergize, which can cost some jobs in the meanwhile. But that's more of a 2-years-down-the-line worry in most cases.

Good feedback. Both firms are V100 - so I am hoping for a Hogan Lovells type situation.

If it's two U.S firms it likely won't be UNLESS they tend to have significant concentration in different markets (e.g. WilmerHale). Domestic law firm mergers otherwise are usually gonna mean a streamlined headcount.

[Abbie Doobie]

Morgan lewis and the European firm?

No - two US firms.

A&P + Kaye Scholer

[Anonymous User]

Guess this is relevant again re Arnold & Porter and Kaye Scholer.... thoughts?