Transaction will bring combined firm's total number of lawyers to over 1,000
US law firm Taft has announced its expansion into the Mountain West region by merging with Denver-based law firm Sherman & Howard LLC.
Effective January 1, 2025, the merger will bring Sherman & Howard’s approximately 125 lawyers into Taft’s network, increasing the combined firm’s total number of lawyers to over 1,000.
Sherman & Howard CEO Stefan Stein expressed his enthusiasm for the merger, “We have helped shape the businesses and cities where we work and live since 1892. When we began discussions with Taft, we were drawn to their collaborative, value-driven approach and their success with mergers involving firms with strong local presences like ours.”
Stein added that the merger allows Sherman & Howard’s clients to benefit from a broader range of legal services regionally and nationally while maintaining relationships with the same attorneys and staff they trust.
Taft chairman and managing partner Robert J. Hicks welcomed the addition of Sherman & Howard, emphasizing the shared values and commitment to clients and communities that the two firms bring to the table. “Sherman & Howard has an outstanding reputation and client base. We are excited about the tremendous opportunities this merger presents for our clients and firms,” Hicks said in a statement.
As part of the merger, all eight of Sherman & Howard’s offices across Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico will join Taft’s existing nine primary markets. This expansion increases the number of states with Taft offices to 10, plus Washington, DC. Sherman & Howard will also play a significant role in Taft’s leadership structure, allowing local market decision-making within a cohesive firmwide model.
The merger with Sherman & Howard is the latest in a series of growth moves by Taft, which has completed six mergers in the past 16 years, including firms in Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. Taft’s recent expansion efforts have significantly increased its revenues, projected to reach US$875 million by 2025.
Sherman & Howard has also expanded through mergers over the past 17 years, establishing new office locations in Arizona and growing its legal footprint in key markets. Founded over 130 years ago, the firm has a strong presence in sectors such as aerospace, government contracting, financial services, technology, and natural resources.
With the combined strength of Taft and Sherman & Howard, the newly merged firm is expected to offer enhanced legal services and continue its growth in both regional and national markets.
