Posted Mar 30, 2010 2:38 PM CDT
By Martha Neil

Lovells expects to close its approximately 20-lawyer Chicago office by the end of October. The decision was made after the firm conducted a strategic and financial review in conjunction with its planned May 1 merger with Hogan & Hartson.

The news follows announcements within the past month that 56 lawyers in two European offices of the Hogan & Hartson would also be departing.

The Lovells office in Chicago focuses on insurance, reinsurance and related arbitration and this "is an area which has seen changes in work patterns," says David Harris, the managing partner of Lovells. He also cites "significant" conflicts related to the office, which was established in 1995, reports Legal Week.

"Despite the best efforts of partners in Chicago and elsewhere, this has had an impact on the office's overall performance in recent years, and the position is not expected to change," Harris continues.

It is possible that some of the lawyers in Chicago will be redeployed to other Lovells offices.