HOUSTON, Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Recognizing an opportunity to strengthen their firms and provide greater services for their clients, the national law firm LeClairRyan and the Houston-based law firm of Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering will merge, effective August 1, 2014.

The consolidated firm, which will continue to be known as LeClairRyan, will have approximately 370 attorneys, 720 employees and 23 offices in 12 states and the District of Columbia. All 19 attorneys and 18 professional staff members of Hays McConn will join LeClairRyan and the firm will maintain their existing offices in Houston and Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The addition of these exceptionally talented attorneys in Texas greatly enhances our established practice teams,” said LeClairRyan Chief Executive Officer David Freinberg. “This merger is the next step on the firm’s evolutionary path to providing a truly national footprint for our clients. The addition of our new colleagues is entirely consistent with LeClairRyan’s strategic plan, which is focused on attracting talented professionals in markets that will enhance our ability to service the growing demands of our clients and provide them with access to a greater depth of legal and business counsel services.”

The attorneys joining LeClairRyan from Hays McConn bring significant experience in matters involving commercial litigation, construction litigation, products liability, professional liability, corporate services and civil litigation defense. Attorneys in the firm’s Houston office routinely provide counsel to the oil and gas, construction and hospitality industries, among many others. Both firms already share clientele in the energy, construction, transportation and insurance fields.

“We are excited to join a growing national law firm with offices that range from New York to Los Angeles. This merger affords us the resources and talent we need to provide a greater amount of service to our growing client base,” said Hays McConn Managing Shareholder John P. Cahill, Jr. “By joining forces with our new colleagues, we also have the opportunity for professional growth in a firm that highly values learning and professional development at all levels.”

Hays, McConn, Rice & Pickering was established in 1982 by a group of respected Houston attorneys whose purpose in founding the firm was to serve their clients and the legal community with integrity, professionalism and common sense. Deeply involved in the Houston business community and the local and Texas bar associations, the firm has also been a long time supporter of Crime Stoppers of Houston, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and various other community organizations and events.

About LeClairRyan
As a trusted advisor, LeClairRyan provides business counsel and client representation in corporate law and litigation. In this role, the firm applies its knowledge, insight and skill to help clients achieve their business objectives while managing and minimizing their legal risks, difficulties and expenses. With offices in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C., the firm has approximately 370 attorneys representing a wide variety of clients throughout the nation. For more information about LeClairRyan, visit www.leclairryan.com.

SOURCE LeClairRyan