Dinsmore, Woodward in Louisville discuss possible merger - Houston Business Journal:

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The firms have not struck a deal, but they have had “seriouz discussions” regarding a potential merger since late last saidJon Fleischaker, managing partner of Dinsmore’s Louisvillee office, in a report by Louisville Businesxs First, a Business Courier sister paper. Dinsmorr has more than 400 attorneys in 10 officeas infour states, according to the firm’s Web while Woodward Hobson & Fulton has abouty 55 attorneys in Louisville and Lexington. Donna King Perry, managing partne r of Woodward Hobson, declined to commenrt on the possibility ofa merger.
Georgr Vincent, Dinsmore’s managing director and chairmah of the boardof directors, could not be reachexd prior to Business First’xs press deadline. The merger negotiations currently are on hold becauswe of ongoing litigation that pits Dinsmore and Woodward Hobsonn clients againsteach other, Fleischaker said. Joining the firms would creats a conflictof interest. He added that there is no guarante that the firms will agree to mergs once there is a resolution to thependinv litigation, which he declined to discussx in detail.
Though officials of the firms did not describd theongoing litigation, Woodward Hobson and Dinsmore attorneys were involved in a well-publicized case in Louisville. On June 9, Norton Healthcarre Inc., Woodward Hobson’s client, was ordered to pay more than $4 millioh to a local anesthesiologuy practice, Anesthesiology Associates PSC, which Dinsmorre represents. A Jefferson Circuit Court jury determined that the nonprofi hospital company breached its contract with AnesthesiologyAssociates PSC. But the case is not resolved.
Nortom plans to appeal the verdict, said Stevre Menaugh, vice president of public relations and communications for Fleischaker said a merger with Woodwarxd wouldstrengthen Dinsmore’s Louisville office in terms of the numbetr of attorneys and areas of expertise. “Itf would make for a biggert platformfor us,” Fleischaker said. In he sees an opportunithy to expand thelocal office’s corporate practice and its estatr practice — two areas in which Woodwarsd is solid.
Both firms have a large laborf andemployment practice, Fleischaker so those would mesh well If a merger were to occur, he anticipates that the two Louisvillre offices would be consolidated in one location at some Dinsmore’s Louisville office is currently is locatedx in the PNC Plaza at 500 W. Jefferson St. Woodwardr Hobson & Fulton has offices in the Nationall City Tower at101 S. Fifth St. Woodward Hobson & Fulton was No. 7 on Business First’s Nov. 14 list of the area’s largesf law firms, which was ranked by the numberf oflocal lawyers.
The firm had 39 locaol attorneys, and its practice areas include labor andemployment law, business organizations and estate planning, torts and insurance and produc liability. Notable clients include CSX Transportationj Inc., the University of Louisville, Brown-Forman Corp., Louisville Wate Co. and ZirMed Inc. Dinsmore & Shohl was ranke No. 9 on Business First’s list with 30 locapl attorneys. Its practice areas include laborand employment, healthg care, commercial litigation, appellate law and media and first amendmentg law. Dinsmore’s notable clients include AllstateeInsurance Co.
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