Law Firm Splits a Way to Growth?

In an economy that seems to be moving forward by walking backwards, it may not be unusual for a law firm to decide splits are better for growth than mergers. At least, that is what one would have to believe, if the words of Jeff Bove, the managing partner at Connolly Bove, are taken at face value.

After Connolly and 21 lawyers split from Delaware’s Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz, and set up Connolly & Gallagher this week, Bove says, “We are very excited about the future of both our firms and how our clients in Delaware and around the world will benefit.” He says, “Our internationally renowned [intellectual property] practice simply requires a different platform than these Delaware-based practices. It just made sense to separate these business units so each could flourish and pursue the strategies that work best for the different client bases.”

According to Bove, the split at Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz was amicable and both sides worked together to get the new firm, Connolly & Gallagher establish itself as a separate identity. Now Connolly Bove would be focusing entirely on intellectual property law while Connolly & Gallagher would be specializing in commercial and corporate issues, local corporate law and litigation.

The new Connolly & Gallagher is headed by Arthur G. “Chip” Connolly III who was a managing partner at Connolly Bove, and whose grandfather had founded Connolly Bove as a patent law firm in 1944. The new firm is housed in Wilmington’s Brandywine Building, while Connolly Bove continues with its headquarters at the Nemours Building.

Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz is one of the most prominent law firms of Delaware with a national presence. It has offices in Newark, Washington D.C and Los Angeles.