Ed.
note:
Welcome
to
our
daily
feature,
Quote
of
the
Day.
It
does
reduce
the
number
of
completed
mergers
we
see,
because
firms
are
pickier,
and
they
should
be.
They’re
looking
for
this
type
of
business
case
and
strategic
rationale.
Of
course
that
differs
from
a
defensive
merger,
where
they
have
fewer
choices
available,
and
they
are
backed
into
a
corner.
—
Kristin
Stark,
a
principal
at
Fairfax
Associates,
in
comments
given
to
the
American
Lawyer,
on
why
most
law
firm
merger
talks
are
seen
as
offensive
right
now
among
Biglaw
firms,
especially
considering
the
fact
that
the
legal
sector
is
performing
incredibly
well.
Fifty
law
firm
mergers
took
place
in
2024,
and
at
least
12
mergers
have
been
announced
for
2025
already.
“We
expect
to
see
at
least
the
same
number
of
mergers
in
2025
as
in
2024,
with
the
possibility
for
more
if
deals
currently
under
consideration
cross[]
the
finish
line,”
Fairfax
noted
in
its
year-end
merger
report.
Staci
Zaretsky is
a
senior
editor
at
Above
the
Law,
where
she’s
worked
since
2011.
She’d
love
to
hear
from
you,
so
please
feel
free
to
email
her
with
any
tips,
questions,
comments,
or
critiques.
You
can
follow
her
on Bluesky, X/Twitter,
and Threads, or
connect
with
her
on LinkedIn.