Atlanta GA, January 2, 2026
Morris, Manning & Martin has merged with Taft, an Am Law 100 firm, creating a powerhouse in Atlanta’s legal landscape. This strategic union is set to enhance legal services and support economic growth for local businesses, offering a combined strength of over 1,200 lawyers nationwide while projecting revenues exceeding $1 billion. Effective December 31, 2025, this merger exemplifies confidence in Atlanta’s economy as it positions the city as a central hub for professional services.
Atlanta Law Firm Merger Bolsters Local Business Landscape
A significant consolidation in the legal sector brings an Am Law 100 firm to Atlanta, creating a larger entity poised to support regional economic growth and entrepreneurial ventures.
Atlanta’s dynamic business environment continues to attract significant investment and facilitate strategic growth. The recent merger involving Morris, Manning & Martin, an Atlanta-based firm, and Taft, a national Am Law 100 firm, underscores the city’s appeal as a hub for professional services and a fertile ground for expansion. This collaboration represents a notable development for the Atlanta GA business community, signaling confidence in the region’s economic future by creating a combined entity with a broad national reach.
This strategic move highlights a trend of firms adapting and growing to meet the evolving demands of a bustling economy. It reflects the resilience and forward-thinking nature inherent in Atlanta’s business landscape, demonstrating how entrepreneurial innovation can lead to expanded capabilities and enhanced service offerings for businesses, both large and small. The merger is set to be effective December 31, 2025.
A Strategic Union in Atlanta’s Legal Sector
The merger of Morris, Manning & Martin with Taft, a prominent Am Law 100 firm, will create a combined firm with more than 1,200 lawyers nationwide. This union provides Taft with a new presence in Atlanta and expands its operations in Washington, D.C. Starting in 2026, the combined firm will operate under the joint brand of Taft and Morris Manning in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. through a long transition. The combined firm is projected to have revenues exceeding $1 billion.
Taft’s Growth Trajectory and Market Confidence
Taft has a history of strategic expansions, with this being its third merger in 2025 and eighth in 18 years. This approach has significantly increased its lawyer headcount by over 300% and revenues by more than 500% since 2017. This growth strategy demonstrates a clear focus on becoming a leading national middle-market firm. The firm aims to combine with dominant local firms that have a material market presence, typically with 100-plus lawyers, and are recognized as active leaders in their legal and business communities.
The firm also expanded its Private Client practice to Florida by launching an office in Naples in June 2025 and completed a merger with Mrachek Law, an 18-attorney litigation boutique in Florida, in June 2025. Additionally, in January 2025, Taft combined with Sherman & Howard, a firm in Denver, expanding its presence across the Mountain West, including Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada.
Morris, Manning & Martin’s Legacy and Local Impact
Founded in Atlanta in 1976, Morris, Manning & Martin has grown into an Am Law 200 firm with more than 180 lawyers prior to the merger. The firm is recognized for its expertise in corporate and business law, real estate, and litigation, with a strong national and international reach. Morris, Manning & Martin was ranked as the number one real estate law firm in Atlanta by The Daily Report and received Tier 1 national rankings in the 2024 Best Law Firms report for Real Estate and Commercial Litigation.
Its clients range from national real estate development firms and emerging technology companies to international conglomerates. The firm’s Atlanta office has been consistently ranked among the leading law firms in Atlanta and Georgia. The continuity of local leadership is maintained with the naming of new Atlanta chiefs, ensuring that the firm’s deep roots and client-first approach continue to serve the Atlanta small business community.
Implications for Atlanta’s Economic Development
This merger reinforces Atlanta’s growing status as a significant legal and business hub in the Southeast. The expansion of a national Am Law 100 firm into Atlanta with a substantial legal team offers enhanced resources and specialized expertise for the region’s diverse economy. Such a move can significantly benefit Georgia entrepreneurs and established businesses alike, providing access to sophisticated legal counsel critical for navigating complex transactions, fostering innovation, and supporting sustained growth.
A larger, more comprehensive legal services firm can support Atlanta’s burgeoning business landscape, by providing expert guidance, potentially fostering further economic growth. Atlanta’s economy is strong, and the local business sector has ample opportunities for law firms to grow, particularly across industries like logistics, financial services, technology, healthcare, real estate, entertainment, and energy. Taft anticipates the combined firm’s Atlanta office will more than double in size in the next five to ten years, underscoring Atlanta’s central role as the epicenter of the Southeast for the firm’s regional presence.
The consolidation of legal talent and resources through mergers like this helps strengthen the infrastructure supporting economic activity. It enables companies in Atlanta to scale, attract private investment, and engage in more complex ventures, all while operating within a robust legal framework. This expansion underscores the dynamic, competitive nature of the legal market and its crucial role in facilitating broader economic prosperity across the state and region.
The merger of Morris, Manning & Martin and Taft marks a pivotal moment for Atlanta’s legal and business landscape. This strategic combination creates a powerful force ready to serve an expanding clientele across various sectors, further cementing Atlanta’s position as a vibrant economic center. By bringing together a vast pool of legal expertise and a commitment to growth, the newly combined entity is well-positioned to contribute significantly to the continued success of local businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors. We encourage our readers to stay engaged with developments that strengthen our local economy and support the businesses and professionals who drive Atlanta’s vitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Atlanta law firm recently completed a merger?
- Atlanta-based Morris, Manning & Martin recently completed a merger with Taft, a national Am Law 100 firm.
- What is the size of the newly merged law firm?
- The newly merged law firm will have more than 1,200 lawyers nationwide.
- What is the effective date of the merger?
- The merger is set to be effective December 31, 2025.
- What are the projected revenues of the combined firm?
- The combined firm is projected to have revenues exceeding $1 billion.
- What is Morris, Manning & Martin known for?
- Morris, Manning & Martin is nationally recognized for its excellence in real estate, litigation, and corporate law. It was founded in Atlanta in 1976.
- How does this merger impact Atlanta’s legal market?
- This merger reinforces Atlanta’s growing status as a significant legal and business hub in the Southeast, offering enhanced resources and specialized expertise for the region’s diverse economy.
Key Features of the Merger
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Firms Involved | Morris, Manning & Martin and Taft | Nationwide |
| Effective Date | December 31, 2025 | Nationwide |
| Combined Lawyer Count | More than 1,200 lawyers | Nationwide |
| Projected Combined Revenues | Exceeding $1 billion | Nationwide |
| New Presence for Taft | Atlanta and expanded Washington, D.C. operations | Nationwide |
| Morris, Manning & Martin’s Foundation | Founded in Atlanta in 1976 | State-level |
| Morris, Manning & Martin’s Recognition | Nationally recognized for excellence in real estate, litigation, and corporate law | Nationwide |
| Taft’s Growth Strategy | Strategic mergers, increased lawyer headcount by over 300% and revenues by over 500% since 2017 | Nationwide |
| Impact on Atlanta | Reinforces Atlanta’s growing status as a significant legal and business hub in the Southeast | State-level |
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