Summary: Hogan Lovells and Collora will merge on September 1, 2017.
In a move to bolster the firm’s life sciences capabilities, Hogan Lovells will combine with Boston-based law firm, Collora.
Hogan Lovells made the announcement today. Formed in 2010, the global law firm has over 40 offices and almost 2,500 attorneys, according to LawCrossing. The firm is well-known for its regulatory practice, intellectual property, and commercial law practices.
Collora has over 20 attorneys, according to LawCrossing, and it has one office located in Boston. Hogan Lovells said that it was combining with the litigation and investigations firm because it has a strong focus in life sciences, healthcare, financial services, and technology.
“Collora is a firm that shares our values, our culture and our approach,” Hogan Lovells CEO Steve Immelt said. “We have worked with them for many clients over the years. It has highly regarded practices in litigation and investigations, with a particular focus in life sciences, which fits very well with our own practices. We also intend to focus on the financial services, technology industries and education sectors, where we already have strong practices in other markets. We are delighted to welcome the Collora team and look forward to working with them for the benefit of our clients.”
The merger is expected to take effect on September 1. At that time, all partners, lawyers, and operations of Collora will join Hogan Lovells. After the combination, the two firms will have 500 life sciences and healthcare attorneys.
According to Hogan Lovells’ press release, Collora will add an office in a key location–Boston.
“Boston is home to global leaders in technology, life sciences, healthcare, and financial services. The area boasts elite academic and research institutions and world-class medical facilities. Economic development in the Boston metropolitan area is fuelled by an active financial services and investment community. The new office will be focused on litigation and investigations with a particular emphasis on the life sciences and healthcare sectors; over time, Hogan Lovells expects to add regulatory, corporate transactions, and IP capabilities,” the press release said.
Immelt added that there was a need for Hogan Lovells to have an operation in Boston.
“The Boston region is a key strategic market in the United States. Although we have worked closely with clients in the area for years, it more recently became clear to us that there was a need for an office that had strong roots in the community,” said Immelt.
Bill Lovett, the Managing Partner of Collora, said that Hogan Lovells will add a new “dimension” for its current client base. Lovett will later serve as Office Managing Partner of Hogan Lovells in Boston.
“Hogan Lovells has a strong global reputation and offers us depth and reach that brings a new and exciting dimension to what we are able to offer our clients,” Lovett said. “We looked very hard at making sure that the business and cultural fit would be right for us – for nearly thirty years our firm has been committed to serving our clients and contributing to our community. Based on many years of working together for some of the same clients, we know Hogan Lovells brings those qualities to the table across the entire firm. No other Boston firm has Hogan Lovells’ global reach. We look forward to making these skills available to our clients and to new Boston-area clients as well.”
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