Today, Spencer Fane announced a merger with one of the largest law firms in Nashville, Bone McAllester Norton. Compass Law Group helped facilitate this combination, working closely with Spencer Fane's Chair Patrick Whalen and President and CEO of Bone McAllester Norton, Charles Robert Bone. The firms are set to combine effective Oct. 1.

"From the first time I met Charles Robert, I suspected that Bone McAllester and Spencer Fane would be a good fit," said Hayden Flowers, Managing Partner of Compass Law Group's Houston office. Flowers has worked with Pat Whalen for several years, including helping open several Spencer Fane offices. "Charles Robert's obvious commitment to humility, integrity, diversity, and excellent client service made the introduction with Pat natural, and the combination with Spencer Fane possible."

“The culture of our firm, our commitment to give back to the community, and our strong track record of retaining top legal talent, has fueled our success. We found those same values in Spencer Fane,” said Charles Robert Bone. “After years of telling one national firm after another ‘no,’ we felt there was something decidedly different about Spencer Fane. Ultimately, being a part of their platform will enable us to expand and continue to attract first-rate attorneys, better serve current and future clients, and strengthen our commitment to the Nashville community.”

Spencer Fane has been one of the fastest growing law firms in the AM Law 200 over the past 8 years of Whalen's tenure as Chair. But Whalen is against growth-for-growth's sake.

“As law firms contemplate combining businesses, it’s important to consider two critical factors –  whether the combination will drive more value to our clients and whether there is a strong cultural fit between the firms,” Whalen said in the firm's announcement. “In this case, the answer to both of those questions is an emphatic yes.”

“While our firms certainly share strengths in terms of legal practice, the excitement about our combination stems from a mutual realization that our firms are aligned culturally around a similar set of core values,” Whalen added. “Spencer Fane is also excited to join Bone McAllester given its exceptional reputation in the rapidly growing Nashville market, as well as its leadership and success building a law firm comprised of a team of incredibly talented and diverse attorneys with unique perspectives and experience.”

Along with the news that global firm K&L Gates opened an office in Nashville earlier this year, it is safe to say that the Nashville legal market is changing. Helping facilitate each of these office openings has given Compass Law Group in-depth expertise on Nashville's vibrant legal market. If your firm would like to explore opening in Nashville, contact us for a free consultation.

SOURCE: Spencer Fane's Announcement

More media:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/08/25/inside-the-deal-bone-spencer-fane.html

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/fast-growing-spencer-fane-to-merge-with-40-lawyer-nashville-firm