It seems like everyone — including courtroom types — wants to be by the beach.
National law firm Cozen O’Connor acquired Santa Monica-based real estate litigation boutique Gilchrist & Rutter, according to a company release. The two firms will work under the Cozen O’Connor brand starting Oct. 1.
This will mark the fourth California location for the firm, which already has outposts in Downtown Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.
Gilchrist & Rutter has been operating in the region for over 30 years. Clients include the Maguire Properties Group, J.P Morgan Asset Management, California Coastal Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development. Eight of its attorneys will join as partners.
Cozen O’Connor plans to expand to have 700 to 1,000 lawyers nationwide. The firm, which has 26 offices nationwide, recruited 51 partners and 55 associates in the last nine months.