Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Page 3
O’Melveny & Myers Adds NewYork-Based Private Equity Law Firm
By a MetNews Staff Writer
O’Melveny & Myers has completed a merger with O’Sullivan, a leading New York-based private equity law firm, forming an even greater O’Melveny, the chairmen of both firms has announced.
The two firms united Sept. 1, concluding negotiations initiated in the first quarter of the year when O’Melveny approached O’Sullivan, John Suydam, O’Sullivan’s chairman, explained.
The combined firm will operate as O’Melveny & Myers, absorbing the 25 partners, 88 attorneys, and all staff from O’Sullivan into the corporate structure.
O’Sullivan’s expertise in private equity investment, leveraged acquisitions, venture and growth financing, public and private offerings, fund formation, and corporate restructuring complements O’Melveny’s existing international practice focused on litigation, bankruptcy, class actions, intellectual property and transactional work, firm officials said.
O’Melveny Chairman A.B. Culvahouse said the integration of O’Sullivan represents “a key strategic step in continuing the development of our global capabilities to better serve our clients.. .”
Suydam added that “O’Melveny’s geographic reach and distinctive experience in a variety of practice areas enables us to continue to meet the expanding needs of our clients . . . nationally and internationally.”
While many firms continue to suffer due to the recent economic downturn, O’Melveny’s chairman said the merger follows on the heels of the most successful year in the firm’s history. After the merger, O’Melveny, ranked among the top 20 global law firms in the AmLaw 100 by “American Lawyer” magazine, will have 14 offices worldwide and nearly 850 attorneys. O’Melveny now has over 200 attorneys split between two offices in New York City with the attorneys from O’Sullivan integrated throughout both.
O’Melveny, founded in 1885, represents such prominent clients as AOL Time Warner, Deutsche Bank AG, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Ford Motor Company. O’Sullivan will be adding the Apollo Group and JP Morgan Capital to O’Melveny’s distinguished client list.
Copyright 2002, Metropolitan News Company