Thompson Hine is extending its footprint to the West Coast with the establishment of a new office in Los Angeles, incorporating an 11-lawyer team from the boutique firm Conkle, Kremer & Engel. This move marks the Cleveland-founded firm’s first venture in California, diversifying its approximately 350-lawyer strong presence. According to AmLaw data, Thompson Hine generated $263 million in revenue last year, ranking as the 146th largest firm in the United States by revenue.
The newly incorporated team brings expertise in areas including employment, intellectual property, construction, and general litigation. Thompson Hine’s managing partner, Anthony White, noted that future expansion will likely align with the firm’s broader national practices such as corporate and real estate (Bloomberg Law). The firm is looking to attract lateral partners and clients by offering a blend of large market presence with cost-effective Midwest rates.
This strategic move follows White’s tenure as managing partner which began in May; he had previously mentioned that the firm intended to explore new markets and bolster its existing base across eight cities (Bloomberg Law).
The partners transitioning to Thompson Hine include John Conkle, Eric Engel, Mark Kremer, Zach Page, Evan Pitchford, and Amanda Washton, alongside senior counsel Jeffrey Pearlman, Mark Riedel, Kim Sim Sandell, and associates Chelsea Bernard and Kelly Peterson. Importantly, the two firms have previously collaborated as co-counsel on various litigation matters, highlighting a long-standing professional rapport.
The integration of Conkle, Kremer & Engel into Thompson Hine aims to expand client services and maintain cost efficiency. John Conkle commented on the attractiveness of Thompson Hine’s innovative legal service models, which emphasize predictability, efficiency, and transparency – a philosophy initiated under former managing partner Deborah Read and branded as SmartPaTH.
The Los Angeles expansion is poised to deliver a unique blend of regional legal expertise and economic flexibility to Thompson Hine’s diverse client base, combining robust Midwest resources with a new and strategic West Coast presence.