Fennemore, a leading US law firm, announced today that it has merged with Fresno-based Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP (SMD), a recognized company in Central California. Valley for outstanding Taxation, Trusts & Estates, Business and Water and Agriculture practice groups. Attorneys and allied legal professionals formerly associated with SMD will now occupy Fennemore’s Fresno office.
Named the nation’s fastest-growing law firm by Law.com in 2021, Fennemore’s firm’s latest acquisition comes after posting the largest year-over-year revenue growth of all companies in The American Lawyer 2023 Am Law 200, the list of the nation’s 200 largest law firms ranked by gross revenue. Fennemore’s revenue grew by a staggering 45% in 2022 compared to 2021 — outpacing the 2.7 – 4.1% average among the Am Law 100 and 200, respectively.
James Goodnow, Fennemore’s CEO and managing partner commented, “We are excited to add SMD’s exceptional attorneys to the Fennemore family.” He added, “we have strengthened our already deep tax bench, and for corporate and complex tax issues, I believe we are now the premier, go-to corporate firm in the Central Valley.”
Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP is a specialty law firm with an emphasis on tax planning and tax dispute resolution, estate planning and estate and trust administration, water and agriculture, and business planning and transactions. Located in an extremely important agricultural region, Fresno is often referred to as the “breadbasket of the United States,” and is one of the largest food producing regions in the world with more than 300 different crops grown. in the area. Six SMD attorneys and four allied legal professionals will initially join Fennemore’s Fresno-based team.
“This is an exciting day in the next chapter for our firm, and for the evolution of Fennemore,” said Joseph J. Doerr, SMD’s Managing Partner, who is certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization as a tax law specialist. “Our combined tax and trust and estates teams are especially well-positioned because Baby Boomers are among the largest wealth transfers in human history, holding half of the $140 trillion in wealth in country.”
“At the end of the day, it’s really about cultural alignment, and then providing the best legal services to our clients,” said Richard M. Aaron, Fennemore’s California Region Chair. “I am personally excited to work with these exceptional legal professionals, and look forward to having the ability to make a greater impact in the communities where we live and serve in Fresno, the San Joaquin Valley, and all over California.”
Fennemore’s initial move into the Fresno market occurred in 2020 when it welcomed nearly 100 legal professionals from the Central Valley-based firm, Dowling Aaron. The main practice areas offered by the combined firms include agribusiness, water law, business and finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, construction, health care, business litigation, taxation, trusts and planning. of land, corporate bankruptcy, natural resources and environment, ERISA and benefits, intellectual property, labor relations and employment law, and emerging business.
“This is an exciting day for our firm – and our future as we add these talented legal professionals – and a signal to our clients that we are even more committed to offering the best service that legally available in the Central Valley,” the lawyer added. Leigh Burnside, Office Managing Partner in Fresno.
Founded in 1885, Fennemore is a full-service law firm committed to delivering legal excellence, embracing change, and fostering an innovative and collaborative culture to better serve clients. With 16 offices across the US, Fennemore continues to set the standard in providing comprehensive legal solutions. To learn more about the firm, visit www.FennemoreLaw.com
Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP is a specialty law firm that focuses on tax planning and tax controversy resolution, estate planning and estate & trust administration, water and agriculture, and business planning and transactions.
