KANSAS CITY/MINNEAPOLIS—Two Midwestern law firms with significant real estate practices have decided to merge and form one of the largest firms in the US. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, Kansas City-based Stinson Morrison Hecker and Minneapolis-based Leonard, Street and Deinard will operate as Stinson Leonard Street LLP.

“Both Stinson and Leonard Street have established real estate practices,” David Frantze, Stinson Morrison Hecker real estate division co-chair, tells GlobeSt.com. “For example, both rank among the top real estate practices in the Midwest, but also have national reach. Both have three members of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers – so to have six in one firm is extremely rare. When combined, there's no question we'll have a powerful real estate team that can deliver comprehensive legal services to clients ranging from developers and retail landlords to commercial tenants and REITs.”

Mark Hinderks and Lowell Stortz will serve as co-managing partners and Allison Murdock will be the deputy managing partner.

According to the National Law Journal's 2012-2013 rankings, the new firm is expected to become one of the largest 75 law firms in the US. It will have more than 525 attorneys in 14 cities, with a substantial presence in the Midwest, the Mountain West and Southwest, and an office in Washington, DC.

Officials from both firms say they enter the combination from positions of financial strength, coming off of their strongest-ever annual financial performances. In addition to real estate, the combined firm will offer regional and national practices in such areas as corporate finance; banking and financial services; energy, environment, mining and natural resources; construction; and litigation.

Instant Insights /

Midwest Law Firms Combine

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