PHOENIX — Fennemore continued its Western expansion Tuesday by announcing that it is combining with Wendel Rosen LLP, one of the oldest and largest full-service business law firms in the San Francisco Bay area.
The combined firm will be called Fennemore Wendel in Northern California and Fennemore across the rest of its footprint in Southern California, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.
In all, 56 attorneys and 45 allied legal professionals from Wendel will join Fennemore, bringing the firm’s total roster to 250 attorneys across the Western United States. The partners and shareholders from both firms approved the combination, which becomes effective July 1.
This combination with Wendel complements Fennemore’s full-service offering, particularly in the areas of real estate, land use, litigation and trusts and estates. In 2021, Law.com named Fennemore the fastest growing Big Law firm in the country.
With Wendel Rosen’s three Northern California offices, the firm expands its existing Southern and Central California footprint to now include Oakland, Walnut Creek and Modesto in Northern California. The combination increases Fennemore’s office count to 14 locations.
“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding attorneys and professionals who share our commitment to innovating alongside our clients and helping them thrive,” said James Goodnow, Fennemore’s CEO and managing partner. “The Bay Area represents one of the largest technology and business centers in the world.”
Goodnow will remain CEO and managing partner of the combined firm. Wendel’s Daniel Rapaport will join the management committee as a special advisor along with executive committee member Steve Cramer, who brings more than 30 years of experience to Fennemore’s management team.
William “Buddy” Rowell will be the local managing partner.
