"The attraction of being larger, with a wider client portfolio building on a strong cash position after the pandemic has given firms time to reflect and the opportunity to reset for the next decade," Bennett said. Technology adoption and increased productivity among senior lawyers is another basis for growth, he added.

Wedlake Bell has been adding partners in its private client and real estate practices in the last few months. In 2018, the firm entered another strategic merger with London firm Stitt & Co. That union saw four partners and eight staff join from Stitt & Co, boosting expertise in commercial litigation, private client, and commercial and residential property.