NEW ORLEANS — One of the top law firms in the United States has opened an office in New Orleans and added 30 local lawyers to its staff.
Akerman LLP, a Miami-based company, have taken on lawyers that were previously part of the Beirne, Maynard & Parsons firm, which closed down in mid-July.
“I am very excited about helping them build this new platform here in along the Gulf coast,” Founding Partner of Beirne, Maynard & Parsons Martin Beirne said.
“When you combine the 300-plus trial lawyers that Akerman has with the lawyers that we have in the trial area in our four cities you end up really with one of the largest platforms in the United States," he added. "With 380 to 390 lawyers under one firm that handle all aspects of dispute resolution, that is a very formidable workforce.”
Beirne said that there were nine lawyers that did not make the move and were going to continue practicing in the litigation arena. “They did not want to move in or move out of that specialty area and they are setting up their own law firm," he explained.
Akerman is the 76th largest firm in the U.S., according to the American Lawyer website. It has been ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The American Lawyer (2016) as well as several other recognitions by other publications and organizations. The gross revenue for Akerman has been published as $337 million, with $600,000 as revenue per lawyer and the profits per partner are listed as $675,000.
With the acquisition of several more attorneys, Akerman has expanded its knowledge base in the energy industry.
“We have a wonderful list of energy clients for whom we do many, many things," Beirne said. "That is an area I think that I know Akerman wanted to grow into. They, of course, do some energy work but they were not doing the type of work that we do in the energy sphere. So, that in and of itself was a big practice development area. And one I think that is a great opportunity to expand."
Akerman has been known as a leading transactions and trial law firm with a solid reputation in the financial services and real estate industries. It also prides itself on having a diverse Latin American practice.
“They are one of the premier banking firms in the United States and they represent just about every banking firm in the United States and for us to be able to reach into their expertise in the banking area in New Orleans is going to be just wonderful for our lawyers there,” Beirne said.
He also said his firm had been working with wonderful clients in the area and his former managing partner, Ben Slater, would also be the new managing partner for Akerman’s New Orlean’s office.
Beirne, Maynard & Parsons started their practice in 1987 with a group of eight lawyers. Their area of focus was “ligitgation-centric,” Beirne said.
“We expanded rather dramatically over the years and, quite candidly, came to a point as a first-generation law firm when we decided that perhaps it was time for us to do something a little bit different and to move in to the full practice area," he said.