Lehigh Valley, Pa. — The Lehigh Valley-based law firm Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino, P.C. has announced it will merge with Bridgewater, New Jersey-based law firm Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A. as part of its long-term strategy. The combined firm will be the largest independent business law firm in the region and will leverage synergies to expand the breadth and depth of services in an array of practice areas.
The combined firm of Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino, the largest commercial law firm in the Lehigh Valley, and Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, the largest firm in Somerset County and one of the top 20 firms in New Jersey, will have over 150 attorneys in three regional offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey; New York, New York; and Allentown, Pennsylvania. The new firm will have a strong presence in the coveted I-78 business corridor, which has experienced significant growth in population and employment that is expected to continue to develop as it diversifies to include more technology-related businesses. The merger will bridge the respective contiguous markets to better serve this emerging business region.
“Seeing a major growth opportunity, Norris McLaughlin began to research potential merger partners over two years ago. At the same time, Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino, similarly, was in the midst of a strategic planning process to address the increasingly sophisticated legal needs of its clients. Both firms found exactly what they were looking for in each other. Not only do we share the same core values and culture, but coming off of our best fiscal years thus far, both firms are in strong financial positions. This merger will add value for all of our current clients, future clients and stakeholders,” said Matt Sorrentino, Managing Partner of Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino.
Clients of both firms will benefit from opportunities in the extended marketplace, as well as the complementary combination of talented attorneys, other professionals and staff. Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino will gain expertise in intellectual property, public securities, regulatory, white-collar criminal defense and matrimonial law. In addition, both firms will gain depth in their real estate, health care, labor and employment, taxation, environmental, appellate, creditors’ rights, commercial litigation, corporate reorganization and alternative dispute resolution practices.
“Over recent years, Pennsylvania, with lower taxation and increased incentives, has created a very favorable business environment. For instance, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, established by the Commonwealth, encourages technology businesses and other start-ups to do business in Pennsylvania with billions of dollars in investment risk capital. Many of our clients are attracted to these progressive programs and have begun to do business in the Lehigh Valley,” explained G. Robert Marcus, Chairman of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus.
The values and culture of both firms were critical to the decision to merge. Both firms have sophisticated legal practices and value high quality service, while also advocating community leadership and work-life balance.
Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, recently named one of the Best Place to Work in New Jersey for the third year, encourages community service and maintains a friendly environment with family events and firm outings. Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino, located in one of Forbes Best Places for Business and Careers, is very active in the community and employs a collaborative approach that fosters a collegial bond among employees.
Phil Mitman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), said, “We view this announcement in a very positive manner. Our professionals have continued to see strong economic development activity in the greater Lehigh Valley from both New York and New Jersey. My business and political experiences tell me that the team of TH&S attorneys certainly knows and has been involved with regional economic development collaborations and projects which have helped to drive the vision, business growth and job creation for the greater Lehigh Valley.”
“We at the Chamber welcome this change as Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino has served as the long-time solicitor to our organization and always been on the cutting edge of client services,” said Tony Iannelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLVCC). “We anticipate further growth as more and more companies in the Lehigh Valley and western New Jersey forge partnerships like that between Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino and Norris McLaughlin & Marcus.”
Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino, P.C. is one of the largest and most respected regional law firms in Pennsylvania, with 35 talented and tested attorneys and 11 paralegals. With roots reaching back nearly a century, the firm provides legal services and valued, sought-after legal advice to corporations, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and individuals, and its attorneys hold expertise in a wide variety of fields. Named Best Lehigh Valley Law Firm in Lehigh Valley Magazine five years in a row, Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino is also home to numerous Pennsylvania Rising Stars and Super Lawyers as selected by Philadelphia Magazine. The attorneys of Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino pride themselves on community involvement by sponsoring charitable events, teaching courses at local colleges and serving on the boards of numerous community and nonprofit organizations.
Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A., a full service law firm, is the largest firm in Somerset County and one of the top 20 firms in New Jersey, with a significant presence in New York. The firm’s more than 100 attorneys come from diverse backgrounds, hold degrees from top U.S. law schools and regularly serve as leaders in bar associations and various trade groups. With 21 of its members listed as the Best Lawyers in America and 23 selected as New Jersey Super Lawyers for 2009, in addition to an active repertoire of speaking engagements and legal publications, attorneys at Norris McLaughlin & Marcus embody large-firm talent in a small-firm setting. It is the goal of Norris McLaughlin& Marcus to accommodate the needs of every client, who run the gamut, from Fortune 500 corporations to smaller publicly and privately held companies to start-up companies and individuals, through the use of experience, strategic planning and common courtesy.
Please visit us online at www.nmmlaw.com or www.thslaw.com for more information.
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