Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm headquartered in Atlanta, will merge with Chicago labor and employment firm Matkov Salzman effective January 1, 2007. The merger strengthens Ford & Harrison’s position as one of the leading labor and employment law firms in the country.
ATLANTA & CHICAGO - Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm headquartered in Atlanta, will merge with Chicago labor and employment firm Matkov Salzman effective January 1, 2007. The merger strengthens Ford & Harrison’s position as one of the leading labor and employment law firms in the country.
The merged firm will have more than 185 attorneys in 16 offices. The merger will expand both firms’ substantial pool of institutional expertise and create even more efficiencies in servicing clients across the country. Ford & Harrison will continue to provide expertise in all areas of labor and employment law including traditional labor, employment, business immigration, employee benefits and litigation.
All Matkov Salzman partners – George Matkov, Jim Salzman, Larry Hall, Mike Duffee, Steve Brenneman, Chris Johlie, Craig Thorstenson, Tom Dugard and Melissa Mazzeo – will become partners in the Ford & Harrison partnership. The firm’s associates, paralegals and staff will also continue in place. The Chicago office will be home to a total of 17 lawyers at their current offices located at 55 East Monroe Street.
“We’re excited that Matkov Salzman is joining Ford & Harrison,” said Lash Harrison, Ford & Harrison Managing Partner. “They have a strong presence in Chicago and the Midwest as well as across the country. They are excellent lawyers and their approach to client service is just like ours. It’s a good fit for both firms.”
Both law firms share the same values. Ford & Harrison’s philosophy of partnering with its clients and delivering exceptional service in a responsive and cost effective manner is one Matkov Salzman has long embraced.
“Our core values – the practice of law at the highest quality level, the highest standards of ethical behavior and collegiality in our relationships – have earned our firm its national reputation, and we are pleased to merge with a group that shares these values,” said George Matkov, Matkov Salzman Founding Partner.
Added Jim Salzman, Matkov Salzman Founding Partner, “Over the years, many law firms have approached us seeking practice mergers. However, we were never convinced that any of the proposed mergers would allow us to preserve our unique culture and values – until now. A merger with Ford & Harrison offers significant advantages to our law firm and our clients.”
The merger adds to an already eventful year for Ford & Harrison. Earlier this year, the firm launched F&H Solutions Group, a human capital and management consulting affiliate. F&H Solutions Group offers services that cover the entire HR platform, including strategic and transitional labor relations, wage and hour consulting, crisis communications, talent management and recruitment, and training services and corporate development. The firm also expanded several offices as well as its airline practice group with the addition of several lawyers in 2006.