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GREENSBORO - Adams Meemeier Hagan Hannah & Fouts, the Triad's fifth-largest law firm, has agreed to merge its operations into those of a larger firm based in South Carolina.
Adams Meemeier will merge with Columbia-based Nexsen Pruet Jacobs & Pollard on Jan. 1, said Bill Wilcox, the managing director of Adams Meemeier.
The merger will create Nexsen Pruet Adams Kleemeier, which will have offices in Greensboro and Charlotte, along with locations in five South Carolina cities. 'Me combined firm will have 170 attorneys in more than 30 practice areas.
Wilcox said Adams Meemeier spent nearly three years examining ways to expand its services and geographic reach. He said the firm looked at stepping up hiring efforts and opening offices outside the Triad before opting for the merger.
"Those were things that we explored ... but they're not easy to do," Wilcox said. "With those things you've got to make an investment, and that could be costly."
The merger continues a period of consolidation in the legal profession, where law firms are becoming increasingly larger, legal observers say. But those who track the profession are split on
whether the Adams Meemeier merger will significantly improve the outlook for both firms.
Steve Earp, who chairs the management committee at Smith Moore in Greensboro, said the larger geographic footprint could benefit Adams Meemeier lawyers as they seek ways to build their business.
"In the long run, I believe (those) lawyers will have a stronger and more stable base, and they should be able to compete more in the regional...