INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ice Miller LLP, an American Lawyer 200 law firm with offices in Indiana, Illinois and Washington, D.C., announced today it has agreed to combine with Schottenstein Zox and Dunn Co., LPA (“SZD”), the fourth largest Columbus, Ohio-based law firm, effective January 1, 2012. The law firm combination will create a regional firm of 314 lawyers with offices in Indianapolis, Columbus, Chicago, Cleveland, DuPage County, Illinois and Washington, D.C. The combined firm, which will operate as Ice Miller LLP, will rank among the top 150 largest law firms in the United States.
Each firm has a successful track record. SZD is known for handling complex business transactions and high-stakes commercial litigation and serves the legal needs of many governmental entities throughout Ohio. Ice Miller is recognized for municipal finance, employee benefits, private equity and other business transactions, as well as complex litigation, real estate and public affairs. Each firm offers a full range of legal services, including labor and employment, creditors' rights and intellectual property.
Both firms have strong community ties with a culture of building relationships that are locally based. These relationships have been built one at a time by serving as trusted legal advisors for decades.
“SZD is a preeminent firm with a stellar reputation. Its clients, culture and Midwestern roots are a great fit,” said Phil Bayt, Ice Miller's chief managing partner, who will continue in that role after the effective date. “This combination just makes sense for our clients and the firm.”
“Joining with Ice Miller presents a terrific opportunity for the firm and for our clients. The combination creates a bigger platform and even deeper levels of service, knowledge and experience,” said Jim Davidson, the president of SZD. “As one firm, our clients will be surrounded by a team of truly incredible and devoted counselors and advocates with enough experience to tackle any of their legal issues.”
Many of the combined firms' lawyers have been recognized in national and international publications which rank legal professionals, including Chambers USA and U.S. News and World Report’s Best Law Firms in America. The firms have each been recognized in their markets as a best place to work by local publications.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to build on the strengths of the combined firm with a talented team of 314 lawyers and 358 other professionals and staff,” continued Bayt.
About Ice Miller LLP
Established in Indianapolis in 1910, Ice Miller represents a full portfolio of private and public companies, government entities and individuals and serves as legal counsel to many of the Midwest's leading businesses, to State and local governments and to companies throughout the country and the world. Ice Miller's clients include Angie's List, Allison Transmission Inc., Indiana University, Citizens Energy Group, Cook Group Incorporated, Indiana Finance Authority, Vera Bradley, ExactTarget, Fifth Third Bancorp, Lucas Oil and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. Ice Miller is committed to helping its clients achieve their legal and business goals. The Firm has offices in Indianapolis, Chicago, and DuPage County, Ill. Ice Miller Strategies, an affiliate in Washington, D.C., provides high-level strategic services and government affairs counsel to global corporations, industry associations and non-profit organizations. For additional information, visit www.icemiller.com and www.icemillerstrategies.com.
About Schottenstein Zox & Dunn
Established in 1966, Schottenstein Zox & Dunn is a full service business law firm with nearly 100 attorneys. It has offices in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio, and serves the business and nonprofit communities, from large corporations to small, entrepreneurial and family-owned companies and organizations. SZD's clients include The Huntington National Bank, Big Lots, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, the City of Dublin, Limited Brands and Honey Baked Ham. SZD Whiteboard is an ancillary consulting enterprise serving the needs of corporations, organizations and state and local governments. SZD Whiteboard provides government relations, lobbying, public policy, economic development, and telecommunications, broadband and network solutions. For additional information, visit www.szd.com and www.szdwhiteboard.com.
This press release is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
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