Clark Hill Combines with Chicago-based Funkhouser Vegosen Liebman & Dunn Ltd. to Expand Firm’s Second City Presence
International law firm Clark Hill PLC announced today that the firm is expanding its Chicago office via a combination with Funkhouser Vegosen Liebman & Dunn Ltd. (FVLD), a full-service firm of 16 lawyers based in Chicago’s Loop. Established in 1981, FVLD’s practicing founding Members will all be joining Clark Hill effective immediately at Clark Hill’s offices in One Prudential Plaza.
“We have been looking to expand our bench strength in the Chicago market. When FVLD approached us, we quickly knew we’d found the right match,” said John Hensien, Clark Hill’s Chief Executive Officer. “Combining with FVLD allows us to better serve our clients and adds outstanding talent to our teams. We’re excited to have them on board.”
Clark Hill opened its Chicago office in 2007. With the addition of the FVLD attorneys, the firm will now have more than 90 attorneys in the city.
“Today’s announcement is a win-win for everyone. It’s the culmination of a strategic process we started 18 months ago, looking at everything from our succession planning to anticipating client needs going forward. With this combination, we have no doubt that both our clients and our colleagues will benefit significantly,” said Vance Liebman, one of FVLD’s founding members. “Clark Hill has a culture that largely mirrors the one we developed at FVLD. It’s a culture based on bringing clients smart, creative, cost-effective solutions. I believe this is a success from all angles.”
FVLD’s attorneys practice in a variety of areas, including corporate law, commercial litigation, intellectual property, technology, labor/employment, media, futures and securities, real estate, banking and finance, and mergers and acquisitions.
“Chicago’s legal market has been and continues to be robust and competitive,” said Kevin Morse, member in charge of the Clark Hill Chicago office. “Our new colleagues bring significant bandwidth and top-flight talent to the firm, materially increase our transactional capabilities in Chicago, and will be integral to our continued growth and success locally, across the country, and in international markets.”
Clark Hill’s Chicago office is home to the president of the Chicago Bar Association, Ray J. Koenig III. The combination with FVLD is the firm’s third in 2023, having previously added real estate firm Larsson & Scheuritzel and litigation boutique Conrad O’Brien, both in Philadelphia.