Howrey's managing partner Robert Ruyak has confirmed that Howrey and Thelen have begun "preliminary discussions" about Howrey taking at least parts of Thelen's construction, government contracts, and toxic torts practices.
Ruyak, who is in Europe this week, told Legal Times, "I had conversations with a group of lawyers from Thelen mainly in the construction and government contracts practice last week. I'll meet with them next week when I get back. Nothing has been concluded yet, and nothing is planned."
The Recorder reported this morning that Thelen chairman Stephen O'Neal, who is based in San Francisco, had been in discussions with Howrey to leave the firm for Howrey's D.C. office. Ruyak, based in D.C., said he did not know if O'Neal would be among the lawyers coming to Washing if the Thelen practices go to Howrey.
"We'll have to get more into discussion [next week] of who the people coming over would be," Ruyak says.
Ruyak also said he didn't know how long discussions would last, but says he hopes a decision would be made "within the next couple of weeks." Ruyak guessed those Thelen practices that are at the center of the discussions are also being pursued by other firms.
According to The Recorder, an all-partner meeting at Thelen will be held tomorrow.
Should Thelen's construction and global contracts practice go to Howrey, Ruyak says they would fall under the firm's global litigation practice.
O'Neal and Thelen spokesman Kevin Livingston did not return calls for comment.
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