BENESCH AND DANN PECAR ANNOUNCE MERGER

The law firms of Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP and Dann Pecar Newman & Kleiman P C announced that they will merge their practices, effective March 1, 2010.

“We are very excited about our firms joining together. It is another step in what we hope will be many in executing our growth plan and our plan to continuously enhance the quality of service that we provide to our clients,” said Ira Kaplan, Benesch’s Managing Partner. He added, “both of our firms have long lasting relationships with our clients, including in the real estate area as well as other sectors. Our strategic plan calls for growth in core practices and Benesch and Dann Pecar match up very well in that regard. It also is important to us to expand our Midwest presence which provides us with broader reach and depth to better serve our clients.”

Dann Pecar also is excited about the combination as a way to expand their current market and client base. “In looking at our growth plan this combination with Benesch made perfect sense to us. In addition to similar clients, we have similar values and a great cultural fit,” said Jeff Abrams, Managing Partner. “Our firm has been strong in recognized practice areas in Indianapolis. We see this as the right time to take it to the next level and expand our opportunities.”

The firm will do business as Benesch/Dann Pecar in the Indianapolis market. “Dann Pecar has a great reputation and a century long history in Indianapolis. We want to make sure that the business and legal communities understand that we are here to partner with Dann Pecar to expand their continued service to the community” said Kaplan, who will continue as the combined firm’s Managing Partner. Jeff Abrams will be Partner-in-Charge of the Indianapolis office and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Both firms have strong roots in their communities. David Kleiman who is a named partner at Dann Pecar said “we were very impressed with Benesch’s support for the arts and other not-for-profits, a value we share and intend to grow.” He added, “we expect that the transition will be seamless as both parties share the same values, culture and commitment to quality client service. We are looking forward to the combination of our two firms. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver superior legal services to our clients. Now, by joining forces with Benesch, our clients will benefit from the additional knowledge, resources and experience of a strong Midwest firm with an entrepreneurial spirit.”

According to law firm consultant, Altman Weil’s year-end MergerLine report, the number of law firm mergers dropped by a significant 24 percent in 2009. Thomas S. Clay, a consultant with Altman who was retained by both firms to facilitate the combination, said, “in a year when a number of firms backed off of expansion plans, Benesch kept true to their strategic plan and forged ahead with their growth strategies. Over the last year, they have advanced several of their core practice areas with the addition of 17 other lawyers, the opening of a New York office and the addition of several practice groups including an Energy Practice Group, Corporate Compliance & Regulatory Enforcement Practice Group and International Trade & Supply Chain Management Practice Group.” “We are always seeking growth opportunities that make good business sense and enhance client service,” said Kaplan. He added, “our goal and strategic plan is to expand our reach in a way that complements our core practice areas.”

Benesch has offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Philadelphia, Shanghai, White Plains and Wilmington, and Dann Pecar is located in Indianapolis. This combination will greatly reinforce the core practice areas for the two firms, specifically in the areas of Real Estate, Commercial Litigation and Bankruptcy as well as in the Transportation/Logistics and Construction industries. Additionally, other areas that will be strengthened are Intellectual Property, Health Care, Labor, Public Finance and Commercial Finance & Banking.

Facts About the Two Firms:

Benesch:
Benesch was founded in 1938 and currently employs 145 attorneys and 288 in total staff. Benesch services national and international clients that include public and private, middle market and emerging companies as well as private equity funds, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, trusts and estates. Benesch’s practice and industry groups include Business Reorganization, the China Group, Compensation & Benefits, Construction, Commercial Finance & Banking, Corporate & Securities, Litigation, Energy, Health Care, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Polymer Industry, Private Equity, Public Finance, Public Law, Real Estate & Environmental, Tax, Transportation & Logistics, and Estate Planning & Probate. For more information, visit www.beneschlaw.com

Dann Pecar:
Dann Pecar was founded in 1911 and currently employs 26 attorneys and 43 in total staff. Dann Pecar’s practice and industry groups include Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Commercial Law; Corporate, Partnership and Venture Law; Employee Benefits; Employment; Estate Planning, Probate and Taxation; Governmental Law and Finance; Intellectual Property; Litigation; and Real Estate, Construction and Environmental.

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