Memphis Legal Landscape Transformed as Two Law Firms Announce Merger

Exciting News for Memphis: Two Law Firms Merge!

In a big shake-up for the local legal scene, Memphis is set to witness a notable merger between two prominent law firms. As of January 1, 2025, Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan PLC and Williams McDaniel PLLC will combine forces to create a new powerhouse firm named Harkavy McDaniel Kaplan and Salomon PC. This collaboration brings together 14 attorneys and 10 dedicated staff members, promising to deliver a range of top-notch legal services.

What This Means for Clients

The newly formed firm will be located at the Triad Centre II at 6060 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis, where Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan currently operates. Williams McDaniel is shifting from its current office at 717 S. White Station Road, but clients can expect a seamless transition in services. The combined firm will focus on important areas such as litigation, estate planning, probate, and both commercial and residential real estate.

A Power Move in the Memphis Legal Landscape

This merger not only enhances the capabilities of both firms but also positions them among the top law firms in Memphis. Previously, both Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan and Williams McDaniel tied for No. 25 in the Memphis Business Journal’s latest ranking of area firms. With this merger, they will leap into a four-way tie for No. 16, showcasing their ambition to grow and provide even better services to their clients.

A Personal Connection

It’s interesting to note that Jason Salomon, a member of Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan, has a personal connection to this merger. He studied at the University of Memphis, where he was taught by Stephen McDaniel, one of the leaders at Williams McDaniel. During a conversation earlier this year, Salomon and McDaniel recognized that their firms could complement each other beautifully. Salomon expressed, “We’re similarly sized law firms in about the same position in the evolution of a law firm. Naturally, the conversation just came up, ‘Wouldn’t it be a wonderful idea if we merged these two wonderful law firms and create a better law firm?’”

Decades of Experience Coming Together

Stephen McDaniel, with an impressive 50 years of experience, shared that the idea of merging these firms had been on the table for decades. But now feels like the perfect moment with the size and goals of both firms aligning. He noted, “It just seemed like you’ve got two groups of people who all want to do the same thing, which is try to provide good legal services to clients. We have a lot of cross-clients.”

A Bright Future Ahead

Both Salomon and McDaniel believe that this merger will create a robust estate planning and administration practice, potentially the strongest in West Tennessee. They see this blending of talents and resources as a way to fill any gaps each firm may have had, ultimately strengthening their overall practice. “The two firms are going to strengthen each other,” Salomon said confidently.

Preserving Legacies

Jason Goldstein, managing partner at Harkavy Shainberg, is excited about what this new chapter holds. “My hope is that our clients look to our new firm in the same way they did to our old firms, with trust and appreciation for the results that we bring them, and enjoyment working with us,” he expressed. With roots going back to the 1960s—Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan was founded in 1963, followed by Williams McDaniel in the late 1960s—this merger combines decades of legal tradition and expertise.

Looking Ahead

The merger of Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan and Williams McDaniel signifies more than just a name change; it marks an exciting new era for legal services in Memphis. As they pool their strengths and share their rich history, both firms aim to become a premier legal destination for clients across the region. Stay tuned for more updates as this promising merger unfolds!