In a strategic move to broaden its geographical footprint and enhance client services, Lathrop GPM has announced its acquisition of Silicon Valley-based Hopkins Carley. The merger, set to finalize on October 1, will significantly bolster Lathrop GPM’s presence on the West Coast by integrating Hopkins Carley’s two California offices and 62 attorneys into its operations. The new entity will comprise 360 lawyers across 13 offices and is projected to generate approximately $250 million in annual revenue.
“California’s legal market is one of the largest and most dynamic in the US,” said Cameron Garrison, Lathrop GPM’s managing partner, in a statement. “This combination with Hopkins Carley provides high-quality critical mass in the Bay Area.”
The consolidation reflects a broader trend in the legal industry, with law firm mergers becoming increasingly common. According to Fairfax Associates, there were 29 law firm mergers in the first half of this year, a slight increase from the previous year. Kristin Stark, a principal at Fairfax, noted that many firms are considering mergers to expand client services across more jurisdictions and benefit from economies of scale.
Lathrop GPM’s acquisition of Hopkins Carley is its second major merger since its formation in 2020 from the combination of Lathrop Gage and Gray Plant Mooty. The expanded firm aims to strengthen its private client services, real estate, and intellectual property practices. Jennifer Johnson, managing shareholder at Hopkins Carley, highlighted the merger’s potential to leverage new technologies and innovations, enhancing the firm’s competitive edge.
The firm’s name will remain Lathrop GPM post-merger, and Hopkins Carley’s integration is expected to provide a robust platform to better serve their pioneering client base in one of the nation’s most vibrant legal markets.