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They're calling it a merger:  Philadelphia-based Drinker Biddle & Reath and Chicago-based Gardner Carton & Douglas have announced their marriage. Details are in the press release. Steve Barrett is the CMO of Drinker Biddle, an AmLaw 100 firm with 450 lawyers. David D. Southern is the Chief Marketing Officer of the smaller Gardner Carton, with 150 lawyers.

But I view it as an acquisition: The new firm will maintain the Drinker Biddle name, except for its offices in Illinois and Wisconsin, where it will be known as Drinker Biddle Gardner Carton until 2008. The Web site URL will be www.drinkerbiddle.com. Drinker Biddle & Reath had $223 million gross revenues in 2005.  In comparison Gardner Carton & Douglas had $127 million gross revenues the same year.

The combination will take effect on Jan. 1, 2007, creating a firm with 650 lawyers and 26 other professionals across 12 offices.