Merger and Lateral Integration Support

To assist our members in navigating the many challenges arising from mergers and lateral integrations, we offer due diligence, underwriting, and risk management services for mergers/combinations, lateral hiring transactions, and the subsequent integration process. We also offer two options for coverage of claims under a firm’s ALAS policy caused by acts of lawyers prior to joining the firm. Like all our loss prevention and coverage offerings, our merger and lateral integration services complement the broader business and strategic objectives of the firm. Indeed, over the past decade, we have assisted our member firms with dozens of mergers, combinations, and domestic and international lateral group acquisitions, consistent with the record pace of law firm mergers and lawyer mobility during that time.

Coverage Options

Lateral Hire Prior Acts Endorsement (LHPAE): Covers claims based on an individual lateral lawyer’s acts prior to joining the firm. Underwriting and premium may be required depending on the number of laterals.

Predecessor Firm Endorsement (PFE): Provides comprehensive prior acts coverage to a merging-in firm and its lawyers to the same extent as if the merging-in firm had always been part of the member firm. The PFE requires submission of an application and an underwriting review of the merging-in firm.

Premerger Reviews

Independent of any coverage or underwriting decisions, our lawyers will supplement a member firm’s due diligence by assessing the practices and procedures of a potential merger partner at no additional cost to the firm. This service identifies areas of focus for successful integration and lays the groundwork for educating the merging-in firm in sound loss prevention practices. The premerger review also assists the member firm and ALAS in making underwriting decisions if the firm seeks LHPAE or PFE coverage for a combination.

Loss Prevention Resources
  • Written guides and checklists:
    • Prototype Lawyers’ Manual: Mergers and Lateral Partners
    • Lawyer Mobility: A Law Firm Management Guide
    • Lateral Partner Candidate Checklist
    • Screening Chart
    • Integration Plan for Lateral Lawyers
  • In-firm programs, “Welcome to ALAS” videos, and other online resources for merged-in and lateral lawyers

If you have any questions, please contact one of our Member Services lawyers.