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Reed Smith has secured its entry into the Chicago market after agreeing to merge with mid-tier local outfit Sachnoff & Weaver, it was announced today (17 October), as the Pittsburgh giant looks to cement its second substantial tie-up in the last six months.

The merger has been agreed in principle but is still subject to a vote by both partnerships next month. If approved, the tie-up is expected to go live in March and will see the combined firm practise in Chicago as Reed Smith Sachnoff Weaver.

Sachnoff has 140 lawyers based in Chicago focusing on work including securities and securities litigation.

Last year, Reed Smith posted profits per equity partner of $800,000 (£429,000) and it is understood that these are comparable with the Chicago outfit. Litigation head Thomas McGough will relocate to Chicago to oversee the integration between the two practices.

The latest merger would create a 1,500-lawyer firm with revenues of $850m (£456m) following Reed Smith’s tie-up with mid-tier City firm Richards Butler, which takes effect from 1 January, 2007.

Reed Smith has been targeting Chicago — the world’s third-largest legal market after New York and London — for a number of years, and last year was reported to have been in negotiations with 200-lawyer local firm Wildman Harrold.

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