From staff reports

A Minneapolis-based law firm with an office in Sioux Falls has agreed to merge with a Philadelphia-based law firm.

Lindquist & Vennum and Ballard Spahr have agreed to merge effective Jan. 1, 2018.

The combined firm, which will use the name Ballard Spahr, will have more than 650 lawyers in 15 offices nationwide, according to a news release.

“We are excited to join a forward-thinking firm like Ballard, whose attorneys share our view that client relationships are strategic partnerships,” said Dennis O’Malley, managing partner at Lindquist & Vennum. “Lindquist has been courted by a number of firms, and we have kept our clients’ interests front and center. Ballard’s and Lindquist’s cultural compatibility and commitment to excellence will ensure our clients receive the same exceptional service, responsiveness and value that we have always provided, enhanced by the resources of an Am Law 100 firm.”

Lindquist & Vennum, which advises clients in corporate mergers and acquisitions, finance and litigation matters, is recognized as a leader in middle-market deal-making. It also has an office in Denver and expanded to Sioux Falls in March 2012. The office here has 10 lawyers and seven staff members.

The Minneapolis office will be Ballard Spahr’s largest office outside of Philadelphia.

“Lindquist & Vennum is a first-rate law firm with considerable strength in areas we want to expand,” said Mark Stewart, chair of Ballard Spahr. “A strategic priority of our firm is the continued growth of our corporate transactional practice. This merger will add a sizable group of experienced corporate partners to our business and finance department, and significantly increase our M&A capabilities, particularly in the private-equity space. Our two firms share strength in financial services, litigation, energy and family wealth management. Minneapolis is a center for financial services, medical device, retail and food/agricultural businesses. That matches up well with our combined talents. Most importantly, the Lindquist lawyers are smart, creative and genuinely nice people. On every level, this combination feels right.”