Bingham, Swidler Berlin Merger Finalized

Bingham McCutchen LLP, a national law firm with 11 offices worldwide, and Washington, D.C.-based Swidler Berlin, have finalized their merger a month earlier than expected.

The merger, which was announced on December 8, 2005, results in a 950-lawyer firm with annual revenue of more than $700 million. The combined firm will use the Bingham McCutchen name, which will apply to the 40 lawyers in Swidler’s Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) Group. Despite the name change, TMT lawyers will continue to focus on regulatory, corporate and transactional, dispute resolution, land use, and legislative services for telecom companies.

The merger gives Bingham McCutchen enhanced reach and strength in Washington – where most of Swidler’s lawyers are based – as well as in New York City. The combination coincides with Bingham’s move into new office space at 2020 K St., an 11-story building in the heart of Washington’s central business district.

“We are excited to be joining forces with Swidler, and I’m pleased – but not surprised – that this deal moved so swiftly,” said Jay S. Zimmerman, chairman of Bingham McCutchen. “Swidler provides us with very complementary practices to our national corporate, finance and litigation areas, particularly their telecommunications, media and technology; government affairs; and real estate and structured finance practices. I fully expect our new lawyers to hit the ground running.”

Bingham McCutchen LLPwww.bingham.com