by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
They have both been residing in the same building and practicing in similar areas of law, so it just made sense that the two law firms would merge into one.
As of Jan. 1, Cole Stone Stoudemire & Morgan will merge with Boyd & Jenerette and the new firm will occupy two floors of the former Levy Department Store building at 201 North Hogan St. Talk of the merging has been going on for about a year and the deal will be finalized by the first of next year. The two firms saw the merger as a logical step to better serve their client base, not as a response to tougher economic times.
“The merger is not a survival tool. Both firms are holding their own and doing good business right now,” said Glen McClary, managing shareholder at Boyd & Jenerette. “However, the combo of two great firms is substantial in the market. One, you are not competing against each other and two, you are able to give your customers better service. We look at it as a one plus one equals three situation.”
The firm of Boyd & Jenerette has been practicing law since 1952 and it was founded by Charles T. Boyd Jr. and Noah H. Jenerette Jr. Robert Cole, a shareholder with the 22-year-old firm of Cole Stone Stoudemire & Morgan, worked with both Boyd and Jenerette during his legal career and looks forward to working under their names.
“I think. . . that it is going to be a great move for both firms,” said Cole. “We have a common history, being that we both do defense work. We may both work in similar areas, but there isn’t a lot of overlap in the client base. We are coming into the merger with different groups of clients and that will only strengthen the new firm.”
The building the new firm is located in is across the street from Hemming Plaza and a solid 4-iron from the proposed County Courthouse project.
“The new Courthouse would be a dream come true for us,” said McClary. “We definitely positioned ourselves in anticipation of the Courthouse being built and it would be a very valuable asset to the area. We encourage the City to move forward with the project.”
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