Baker Donelson merges with another Houston law firm

JACKSON — Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC has merged with the Houston law firm of Drucker, Rutledge & Smith, L.L.P., marking Baker Donelson’s third merger, and its second one in Texas, in less than four months.

In October 2011, Baker Donelson merged with the Houston firm of Spain Chambers, giving the firm its first Texas location, then in November merged with the Orlando firm of Litchford & Christopher, marking its first location in Florida. Now with its merger with Drucker, Rutledge & Smith, the combined firm, which will continue with the name of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, has more than 630 attorneys and advisors in seven states and Washington, D.C.

Baker Donelson’s chairman and CEO Ben C. Adams said, ‘Houston is a large and complicated legal market, so we are committed to continued strategic growth with attorneys who bring strong experience and outstanding reputations. The attorneys of Drucker, Rutledge & Smith are a prime example of what we’re looking for in building our team in Houston. They are an outstanding business litigation firm with an especially strong track record in representing financial services clients, which offers our existing clients in that sector experienced litigation counsel in Texas.”
Through the merger with Drucker, Rutledge & Smith, Baker Donelson gains seven attorneys: shareholders Douglas R. Drucker, Karen D. Smith, Joseph T. Kennedy and Kirby D. Hopkins, and associates Rachel N. LeMay, Joseph P. Crescenzo III and Jessica A. Hinkie.  In early March, these attorneys will relocate from their office in The Woodlands to join Baker Donelson’s other Houston attorneys in a new location in downtown Houston.