Fennemore Continues Its Explosive Growth In California By Expanding Fresno Presence.
Latest Strategic Growth Move Involves The Acquisition Of Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP.
FRESNO, CA – Fennemore, a leading U.S. law firm, today announced that it was combining with Fresno-based Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP (SMD), a firm recognized in California’s Central Valley for its outstanding Taxation, Trusts & Estates, Business and Water and Agriculture practice groups. The attorneys and allied legal professionals formerly associated with SMD will now occupy Fennemore’s existing office in Fresno.
Named the fastest-growing law firm in the country by Law.com in 2021, Fennemore’s latest firm acquisition comes on the heels of posting the single largest year-over-year revenue growth among all firms in The American Lawyer 2023 Am Law 200, the listing of the 200 largest law firms in the country ranked by gross revenue. Fennemore’s revenue grew by a staggering 45% in 2022 versus 2021—outpacing the 2.7 - 4.1% average among the Am Law 100 and 200, respectively.
Named the fastest-growing law firm in the country by Law.com in 2021, Fennemore’s latest firm acquisition comes on the heels of posting the single largest year-over-year revenue growth among all firms in The American Lawyer 2023 Am Law 200, the listing of the 200 largest law firms in the country ranked by gross revenue. Fennemore’s revenue grew by a staggering 45% in 2022 versus 2021—outpacing the 2.7 - 4.1% average among the Am Law 100 and 200, respectively.
James Goodnow, Fennemore’s CEO and managing partner commented, “We’re excited to add the extraordinary lawyers of SMD to the Fennemore family.” He added, “we’ve strengthened our already deep tax bench, and for corporate and complicated tax issues, I believe we’re now the preeminent, go-to corporate firm in the Central Valley.”
Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP is a specialty law firm with an emphasis on tax planning and tax controversy resolution, estate planning and estate planning and estate and trust administration, water and agriculture, and business planning and transactions. Located in an incredibly important agricultural region, Fresno is often referred to as the “breadbasket of the United States,” and one of the largest food producing regions in the world with more than 300 different crops raised in the area. Six SMD attorneys and four allied legal professionals will initially join Fennemore’s team based in Fresno.
“This is an exciting day in the next chapter for our firm, and for the evolution of Fennemore,” noted Joseph J. Doerr, the Managing Partner of SMD, certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in taxation law. “Our combined tax and trusts & estates teams are now especially well positioned as Baby Boomers are in the midst of the greatest wealth transfer in human history, holding half of the nation’s $140 trillion in wealth.”
“At the end of the day, it’s really about cultural alignment, and then providing the very best legal services to our clients,” said Richard M. Aaron, Fennemore’s California Region Chair. “I am personally excited to work with these outstanding legal professionals, and look forward to having the ability to make an even greater impact in the communities where we live and serve in Fresno, the San Joaquin Valley, and throughout California.”
Fennemore’s initial move into the Fresno market occurred in 2020 when it welcomed the nearly 100 legal professionals from the Central Valley-based firm, Dowling Aaron. Key practice areas offered by the combined firms included agribusiness, water law, business and finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, construction, health care, business litigation, tax, trusts and estate planning, corporate bankruptcy, natural resources and environmental, ERISA and benefits, intellectual property, labor relations and employment law, and emerging business.
“It’s such an exciting day for our firm – and our future as we add these talented legal professionals – and a signal to our clients that we’re now even more committed to offering the finest legal services available in the Central Valley,” added attorney Leigh Burnside, Office Managing Partner in Fresno.
About Fennemore.
Founded in 1885, Fennemore is a full-service law firm committed to delivering legal excellence, embracing change, and fostering an innovative and collaborative culture to serve clients better. With 16 offices across the U.S., Fennemore continues to set the standard in providing comprehensive legal solutions. To learn more about the firm, visit www.FennemoreLaw.com
Founded in 1885, Fennemore is a full-service law firm committed to delivering legal excellence, embracing change, and fostering an innovative and collaborative culture to serve clients better. With 16 offices across the U.S., Fennemore continues to set the standard in providing comprehensive legal solutions. To learn more about the firm, visit www.FennemoreLaw.com
About Sullivan McGregor & Doerr. (SMD)
Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP is a specialty law firm focusing on tax planning and tax controversy resolution, estate planning and estate & trust administration, water and agriculture, and business planning and transactions.
Sullivan McGregor & Doerr LLP is a specialty law firm focusing on tax planning and tax controversy resolution, estate planning and estate & trust administration, water and agriculture, and business planning and transactions.
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Please contact us for more information.
JOSEPH J. DOERR | Director
P 559.753.2803
E jdoerr@fennemorelaw.com
P 559.753.2803
E jdoerr@fennemorelaw.com
JAMES GOODNOW | President and CEO
P 602.916.5440
E jgoodnow@fennemorelaw.com
P 602.916.5440
E jgoodnow@fennemorelaw.com
RICHARD M. AARON | California Region Chair
P 559.432.4500
E raaron@fennemorelaw.com
P 559.432.4500
E raaron@fennemorelaw.com
LEIGH W. BURNSIDE | Director
P 559.432.4500
E lburnside@fennemorelaw.com
P 559.432.4500
E lburnside@fennemorelaw.com
