Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, a national law firm with 460 lawyers in 22 offices around the country and Barger & Wolen LLP, a California-based law firm with 45 attorneys in six offices, announced today they will join forces. The merger creates one of the largest insurance law practices in the United States with 120 full-time attorneys dedicated to providing legal counsel to companies that shape the insurance and financial services industries.

The partner votes took place on August 28, 2014, and the merger will become effective on October 1, 2014. The combined firm will keep the name Hinshaw & Culbertson and have over 500 attorneys in 11 states as well as London.

“This is a mutually beneficial move for both firms, bringing together decades of experience to serve our clients in an increasingly complex legal environment,” said Robert J. Romero, member of Hinshaw's Management Committee and the Partner-in-Charge of the firm's San Francisco office. “Hinshaw's strategic plan has always been focused on strengthening our presence in key markets that are important to our clients. With the addition of Barger, we have not only increased our capacity and expertise here in California and the West Coast, but enhance our ability to counsel our clients throughout our office network.”

“This merger creates a tremendous opportunity to extend the work we are doing in California to other regions where our clients are doing business,” said Barger Chairman Richard De La Mora, who is based in Los Angeles. “We are confident our clients will appreciate our newly enhanced position in California, with 90 attorneys and six locations, as well as our presence in other markets where Hinshaw has offices.”

Barger, a household name in the insurance industry, brings strong litigation, reinsurance and regulatory practices bolstering Hinshaw’s well-respected insurance, corporate, business litigation and employment practices. Hinshaw offers Barger’s clients depth in professional liability, white-collar defense and government services.

“We found a strong partner in Hinshaw, which leverages our 38 years of experience in the insurance industry for prominent companies such as Farmers Insurance, New York Life, Unum and Blue Shield of California,” said Royal F. Oakes, Los Angeles-based partner in Barger’s insurance practice. “Our new platform is a true business advantage for our clients seeking legal counsel when new laws and government regulations are proposed, and when new lines of insurance come to market.”

This merger follows on the heels of Hinshaw’s expansion in other key markets earlier this year, including lateral hires in Phoenix and Chicago. With the addition of Barger, Hinshaw continues its strategic expansion increasing headcount by an additional 10 percent in 2014. And, with Barger’s London office, Hinshaw Chairman Donald Mrozek said this move opens up the door to explore further international business opportunities.

“This merger underscores both legacy firms’ commitment to strategic growth,” said Mrozek. "Becoming an international firm has always been of interest to us, and with Barger it becomes a reality.”

Kristin Stark, a principal of the consulting firm Fairfax Associates, is strategic counsel for both firms in the merger and will continue to advise them through the integration process.

About Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Hinshaw & Culbertson was established in Chicago in 1934. The firm has approximately 460 attorneys in 22 offices located in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. Hinshaw is a multi-service, national law firm with differentiated strength in the insurance industry and in the following key areas: representation of professionals, consumer class actions, transactional, and business litigation. For more information, visit www.hinshawlaw.com

About Barger & Wolen LLP

Barger & Wolen was established in 1976 and is a commercial law firm that primarily serves the insurance industry. The firm’s practice areas include insurance industry litigation and regulation, reinsurance, business and commercial litigation, corporate and transactional law, employment law, real estate, banking and wealth management. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with additional offices in San Francisco, Newport Beach, New York, Sacramento and London. For more information, visit: www.bargerwolen.com/