A Strategic Union in the Legal Landscape
In the ever-evolving world of BigLaw, mergers are reshaping the map of legal services, and the latest announcement underscores this trend. Frost Brown Todd LLP (FBT), a powerhouse in the Midwest and South, is set to merge with Gibbons P.C., a century-old stalwart in New Jersey and the Northeast. This combination, effective January 1, 2026, will birth FBT Gibbons LLP—a mid-market giant with approximately 800 attorneys across 25 offices nationwide. The move not only amplifies FBT’s reach but also fortifies its litigation muscle, signaling a bold push into high-stakes Eastern markets.
The Firms at a Glance: Complementary Strengths
Frost Brown Todd, headquartered in Cincinnati with roots tracing back to 1919, has built a reputation for serving over half of the Fortune 100 companies through its transactional prowess in corporate, finance, and emerging industries. Boasting more than 600 lawyers and $336.6 million in revenue, FBT’s footprint spans California to Florida, with key hubs in Louisville, Nashville, and Indianapolis.
Gibbons P.C., founded in 1926 and based in Newark, NJ, brings a litigation-heavy legacy, excelling in business & commercial disputes, labor & employment, products liability, environmental law, white-collar investigations, class actions, and life sciences. With around 150 attorneys and $115 million in gross revenue, Gibbons adds Mid-Atlantic depth via offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond.
Together, FBT Gibbons will generate $451.6 million in combined revenue, positioning it as a top-200 national firm with enhanced cross-coast capabilities.
Leadership and Operational Blueprint
The merger’s leadership team blends expertise from both sides. Adam Hall, FBT’s CEO, and Peter Torcicollo, Gibbons’ managing director, will co-lead as managing partners, while Robert Sartin, FBT’s chairman based in Nashville, takes the helm as chairman of the new entity. Partnership approvals were swift: Over 90% from FBT on October 6, 2025, and unanimous from Gibbons the next day.
No partner attrition is anticipated, and the integration promises seamless client transitions. “This supercharges our ambitions,” said Torcicollo, highlighting amplified industry insights from New York to California.
Strategic Wins: Northeast Expansion and Client Value
For FBT, the merger is a gateway to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, adding offices in strategic locales like Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, and New York—markets teeming with finance, energy, manufacturing, and innovation hubs. Gibbons’ litigation dominance will supercharge FBT’s national disputes practice, offering clients coast-to-coast courtroom access and regulatory savvy.
Clients stand to gain a “deeper bench of industry-savvy attorneys,” per the firms, with bolstered support in high-growth sectors. This isn’t just growth—it’s a client-first evolution in a consolidating industry.
Broader Implications for BigLaw
This union reflects BigLaw’s merger surge, where regional players consolidate to rival nationals amid talent wars and client demands for ubiquity. FBT Gibbons joins recent tie-ups like A&O Shearman, emphasizing mid-market agility over sheer size. For associates and partners, it spells more opportunities in diverse practices; for the bar, a reminder that legacy meets innovation in unexpected ways.
As 2025 closes, FBT Gibbons emerges not just larger, but sharper—ready to redefine legal service from sea to shining sea. Watch this space for integration updates.