Merger of Law Firms McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel Has Been Finalized
McDermott Will & Schulte Merges to Create a Global Powerhouse in Legal Services
In a groundbreaking move, McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel have merged to form a new global firm named McDermott Will & Schulte. The merger, completed on August 1, 2025, brings together over 1,750 lawyers across more than 20 offices worldwide, generating combined annual revenues of $3 billion.
The strategic focus of the merger lies in combining McDermott’s broad industry expertise, notably in healthcare, tax, litigation, and regulation, with Schulte’s leadership in private capital and innovative legal strategies. This union creates a fully integrated platform across these sectors.
The new firm boasts a global presence, with offices concentrated in North America and Europe, including major cities like New York, London, Brussels, Frankfurt, Milan, and Paris. The firm positions itself as a "new standard of excellence" aiming to challenge conventional law firm models through a people-centric culture, innovation, and enhanced client service on a global scale.
Ira Coleman, formerly managing partner of McDermott Will & Emery, has been appointed Chairman of the merged firm. Leadership integration from Schulte Roth & Zabel is significant, with their partners assuming key roles on the Management, Executive, and Compensation Committees, as well as co-leading the firm's New York and London offices along with McDermott leadership.
Marc Elovitz and David Efron, Schulte’s co-managing partners, expressed their excitement about charting the future together with McDermott Will & Schulte. They believe that the merger empowers Schulte Roth & Zabel to broaden its impact and redefine what clients can expect from their legal partners.
The leaders from both legacy firms will shape the future of the new organization, aiming to serve as indispensable partners to clients. The merger unites McDermott’s momentum with Schulte’s private capital expertise, fostering a culture that embraces forward-thinking legal strategies and fosters a people-first approach.
With this merger, McDermott Will & Schulte sets a new standard for excellence in the legal profession, challenging conventional models and positioning itself as a leader in the industry.
[1] McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel Announce Merger to Create a New Global Firm, McDermott Will & Emery, August 1, 2025, https://www.mcdermott.com/news/press-releases/mcdermott-will-emery-and-schulte-roth-zabel-announce-merger-to-create-a-new-global-firm
[2] McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel Combine to Create a New Global Firm, The American Lawyer, August 1, 2025, https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2025/08/01/mcdermott-will-emery-and-schulte-roth-zabel-combine-to-create-a-new-global-firm/
[3] McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel Merge to Form McDermott Will & Schulte, The National Law Journal, August 1, 2025, https://www.law.com/nlj/2025/08/01/mcdermott-will-emery-and-schulte-roth-zabel-merge-to-form-mcdermott-will-schulte/
[4] McDermott Will & Schulte: A New Powerhouse in the Legal Industry, The New York Times, August 1, 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/business/mcdermott-will-schulte-merger.html
- The merger between McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel, forming McDermott Will & Schulte, is a significant move in the business world, bringing together two renowned legal entities in the finance sector to create a global powerhouse.
- This union of McDermott's extensive industry expertise, particularly in healthcare, tax, litigation, and regulation, with Schulte's leadership in private capital and innovative legal strategies, positions the new firm as a challenger of conventional law firm models in the industry.
