Two of East Bay's Longest Established Law Firms Merge

OAKLAND, CA and WALNUT CREEK, CA and MILL VALLEY, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 2, 2014) - Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP, founded in 1918, and Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley LLP, founded in 1883, jointly announce the merger of their law firms. Effective May 1, the combined firm will be named Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and will be one of the largest in the East Bay. The new firm will continue its multidisciplinary practice, which includes business and corporate, employment and labor, intellectual property, trusts and estates, litigation, nonprofits, real estate, tax, and franchise, among other areas.

"Donahue Gallagher Woods and Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley were focused on strategic growth and the nature of the marketplace made it clear that a merger was the most expedient way to accomplish this goal. Given our histories, similar practice groups and cultural fit, we each recognized a kindred spirit in the other," said Michael J. Dalton, chief executive officer of Donahue Gallagher Woods. "Donahue Fitzgerald will now be one of the largest and most accomplished law firms in the East Bay. It will also be the go-to firm in its key markets, providing comprehensive legal services for small to mid-sized businesses and start-ups and high-net-worth individuals combined with specialized representation of Fortune 500 companies."

"Donahue Fitzgerald forges two of the East Bay's most historic legal institutions into a dynamic new firm that will be stronger, more efficient and better able to provide superior legal services to clients in a wider range of practice areas and industries," said Michael S. Ward, Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley's managing partner. "The merger will add depth and complementary expertise across all core practices areas, allowing the firm to provide an even better client experience in terms of responsiveness, handling of large and complex matters and broader and deeper expertise without sacrificing the cost-effective approach that has been the hallmark of both firms."

Dalton is expected to serve as the firm's managing partner and head a management committee elected by the combined firms.

The firm will have offices in Oakland, Calif., Walnut Creek, Calif. and Mill Valley, Calif. Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley will relocate its Oakland office into the existing space occupied by Donahue Gallagher Woods at 1999 Harrison Street. In Walnut Creek, the two firms will relocate to newly-designed offices at Growers Square, where each has an existing space. The combined firm will also maintain and expand on Donahue Gallagher Woods' longstanding presence in Marin County.

"Donahue Fitzgerald will carry on both firms' commitment to the communities in which they work. Both have been recently honored for pro bono services and encouraging attorney participation on local and national non-profit boards," added Dalton.

About Donahue Fitzgerald LLP:
Now one of the most longstanding and one of the largest law firms in the East Bay, Donahue Fitzgerald LLP will provide legal solutions for clients, including entrepreneurs, business owners, high-net-worth individuals, non-profits, Fortune 500 companies, and growth and midsize companies in a variety of industries. The firm continues its long-time and strong support of the communities in which its attorneys live and work.