The Clark Hill law firm in Detroit today announced it has acquired Boulder, Colo.-based LaszloLaw, a corporate and commercial transactional and litigation firm with a focus on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Joining Clark Hill are Theodore “Ted” Laszlo, who founded LaszloLaw in 2001, and firm partner Michael Laszlo. Both are joining Clark Hill as members. LaszloLaw attorney Veronica Vecchio will join as a senior attorney.
In addition, LaszloLaw will become Clark Hill’s Boulder office, remaining at its current location in the heart of Boulder. Michael Laszlo will serve as the member in charge of Clark Hill’s Boulder office.
“Ted and Mike are outstanding lawyers and we’re really pleased to welcome them and their clients to Clark Hill,” says John Hensien, CEO of Clark Hill. “Our growth strategy for the past several years has been to add depth to existing practice groups and to expand our geographic footprint in regions where we already have a presence.
“Combining with LaszloLaw not only enables us to execute on that strategy, but we also get terrific new team members whose practices and clients dovetail nicely with our existing operations.”
LaszloLaw has established a presence throughout Colorado and the Mountain West Region, building a national reputation as the boutique firm of choice for companies active in the hospitality and beverage industries, including restaurants, wineries, distilleries, breweries, importers, distributors, and retailers of all sizes.
“Our clients are the top priority for us,” says Theodore Laszlo. “Over the years since founding LaszloLaw, our clients’ businesses have grown, and so have their legal needs. We’re thrilled that by joining Clark Hill we can offer our clients access to a full-service international firm that boasts a diverse group of top practitioners across a range of disciplines. Going forward, we’ll be able to meet all of our clients’ legal needs around the country — and in one stop — from corporate to litigation and tax advisement to real estate. We’re excited.”
Theodore Laszlo is a litigator and transactional attorney who, in addition to being honored as a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, serves as national trial and coordinating counsel for a number of businesses, and represents a variety of businesses in complex transactional and merger and acquisition engagements.
As practitioners who often fill the general counsel role for their clients, the Laszlos say they sought a combination that aligned with their relationship-based approach to working with clients.
“We weren’t actively looking to partner with a larger firm, but we regularly work with Clark Hill attorneys, and it became clear that the firm and its values were in sync with ours, and we realized what a combination could mean for our clients,” say the Laszlos in a joint statement. “Clark Hill brings the same level of respect, professional integrity, and commitment to quality that we have always delivered. We expect this combination to be a welcome one for our clients.”
In addition to his active practice, Michael Laszlo provides pro bono legal services via the Federal Pro Se Clinic in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, assisting unrepresented litigants in the civil litigation process. He also is member of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado Civil Pro Bono Panel and serves on the Board of Directors for the Boulder Cancer Fighters, the George Karl Foundation, and is a founding director of the Association of North American Professional Road Cyclists. He is a member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Colorado, the National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys, and the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals.
The elder Laszlo also serves on the Board of Directors for the George Karl Foundation and as secretary to the Board of Directors for the Boulder Cancer Fighters. He earned his J.D. from the University of Akron. Michael Laszlo received his J.D. from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
