Taft completes merger with Morris, Manning & Martin

Taft and Morris, Manning & Martin LLP, a firm with offices in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., announced the completion of their merger, effective Dec. 31, 2025 — a milestone in Taft’s long-term strategic growth plan. The combination, Taft’s third in 2025, creates a firm with more than 1,250 attorneys in 25 offices nationwide and projected revenues exceeding $1 billion, according to a news release from Taft.

The merger, announced in August, expands Taft’s presence in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, establishing a foothold in Atlanta, one of the nation’s fastest-growing business and legal markets, and deepening its reach in Washington, D.C. In the nation’s capital, Taft will now operate two offices: a new location in Dupont Circle from Morris Manning, and its existing Capitol Hill office.

“Completing this merger is a major step forward in Taft’s long-term strategy,” Robert J. Hicks, Taft’s firmwide chairman and managing partner, said in the release. “Morris Manning brings a remarkable legacy of excellence, strong leadership, and a culture that fits seamlessly with ours. By combining our talent and capabilities, we are poised for significant growth in Atlanta and D.C. as we continue to scale our presence nationally.”

Since the merger announcement, more than 10 lawyers have joined Taft’s new offices in Atlanta and DuPont Circle. With additional lateral hiring discussions underway, Taft expects these offices to surpass 150 lawyers in Atlanta and 100 in Washington, D.C. within three to five years.

“Today marks a transformative moment for our lawyers, our clients, and the Atlanta community,” said Simon Malko, former managing partner of Morris Manning, who will serve on Taft’s Executive Committee. “Taft’s national platform amplifies the strengths that have defined Morris Manning for decades – our talent, our culture, and our commitment to client service.”

With the merger now complete, Wyatt Kendall and Lauren Prevost will step into new roles as co-partners-in-charge of Taft’s Atlanta office, leading local operations and strategic growth initiatives. Carol Weld King, previously the managing partner of Morris Manning’s Washington, D.C., office, will serve as partner-in-charge for the D.C. market at Taft. King, along with partner Meredith Caiafa, will join Malko as part of Taft’s Executive Committee.

In 2025, Taft became the only Am Law 100 firm to close three mergers in a single calendar year: Morris, Manning & Martin (Atlanta and Washington, D.C.); Mrachek Law (Florida); and Sherman & Howard (Mountain West). Part of a long-term strategic plan to become one of the leading national middle-market firms, Taft has now completed nine mergers in key growth markets over the past 18 years.