Loomis law firm to dissolve; most of its staff will join other firm
LANSING — A longtime Lansing law firm plans to close its doors at the end of November, with most of its staff joining a larger firm founded in Lansing more than a century ago.
A dozen lawyers from Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, along with eight other staffers, will become part of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, officials from both firms said.
The move stems from one business closing and most of its staff joining the other firm and is not considered a merger or an acquisition, said Sara Cunnigham, president of the Loomis firm.
"It is sad, but it's also the way the market is going," Cunningham said. "It's harder to be a small firm in today's market ... We view it as a positive move, and two really successful Lansing firms joining together is going to be a stronger team than either of us apart."
Anne Seurynck, president of Foster Swift, said the move will boost the firm's roster to about 50 attorneys in Lansing. The firm has been looking to expand, and Loomis has expertise in the energy field, a sector in which Foster Swift would like to have a presence, she said.
"They've got good litigators, good business people," Seurynck said. "This is a great opportunity for our firm to have those people come over. I think it's going to be a really good collaboration."
The Loomis firm was founded in 1953 by George Loomis and Plummer Snyder. According to its website, it has 10 attorneys and five others who are associated with the firm. The only office is in Lansing, but the firm serves clients from around the state.
Foster Swift was founded in Lansing in 1902 and now has offices there and in Southfield, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Holland and St. Joseph. With "this strategic addition," it will have more than 100 attorneys, including about 50 in downtown Lansing, the firm said Tuesday in a news release.
"Many of our Lansing attoneys have had a close relationship with the attorneys from Loomis for years," Seurynck said in the release. "Our mindset and values are similar. We focus on helping our clients pursue opportunities while minimizing risk and realizing goals."
The attorneys joining Foster Swith on Nov. 27 are Cunningham, James Anderton V, Michael Kluck, Gabrielle Lawrence, Kelly Reed Lucas, Paula Manis, James Neal, Michael Oliva, Michael Rhodes, McKenna Rivers, Jeffrey Theuer and Brandon Waddell.
Four paralegals and four support staff from Loomis will join the 12 attorneys moving to Foster Swift, according to the news release. They account for the "vast majority" of Loomis' people, Cunningham said.
The changes have been in the works for a few months, she said.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Loomis law firm to dissolve; most of its staff will join other firm
