Fix, Spindelman, Brovitz & Goldman P.C. have combined with Woods Oviatt. According to the Rochester Business Journal, Woods Oviatt is the region’s fourth largest law firm, with 76 attorneys. It has been ranked as the 17th largest firm in the region, as published by the 2012 Law Firm List of the Rochester Business Journal.
This merger will combine the two firms. It will mix their expertise and it will ultimately diversify them. This diversity of experience and tenure will create more value for their clients. But it may also make for a stronger company as a whole. In this particular case, Fix, Spindelman, Brovitz & Goldman P.C. has dissolved. But its parts have survived as it now gets absorbed into Woods Oviatt. The two work cultures and personality mixes will ultimately become one large entity. The new Woods Oviatt may assume the rights, privileges, and liabilities of the merged corporation. This is a massive move that will include paralegals and back office support staff. In this way, the entire bodies of the firms are coming together.
According to the ABA journal, Jerry Goldman, Betsy Brugg and Richard Brovitz, three of the lawyers from Fix, Spindelman, Brovitz & Goldman are joining Woods Oviatt Gilman as partners. Others joining Woods Oviatt are James Bonsignore, Paula Lapin, Townsend Kinsler, Reuben Ortenberg and Joshua Pheterson. A year ago, Fix, Spindelman had over 15 lawyers on its attorney roster, according to the Rochester Business Journal. At last report, Woods Oviatt had over 75 lawyers.
Richard Brovitz, former Fix Spindelman managing principal commented, “We were attracted to Woods Oviatt because of the synergy created by joining together to provide our clients with the best possible legal services available in our area.”
The Rochester Business Journal quoted managing partner of Woods Oviatt James McElheny as having said, “The group joining us from Fix Spindelman brings added depth, sophistication and support to our existing capabilities in the areas of corporate, real estate and other business transactions, as well as real estate development and land use.”