News
December 12, 2024Capital Region’s Largest Law Firm Expands: Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP Joins Forces with Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP (WOH), the Capital Region’s largest law firm, and Nolan Heller Kauffman LLP (NHK), an esteemed business law, financial services, and litigation firm, are pleased to announce that NHK’s attorneys and staff will be joining WOH effective January 1, 2025.
The integration of WOH’s and NHK’s business law, commercial real estate, commercial litigation and other mutual practices will enhance both firms’ capabilities in these areas. NHK’s preeminent banking, creditors’ rights, business reorganization and bankruptcy practices will provide WOH clients access to these specialized services, while WOH’s broad scope of practice areas will provide NHK’s clients with an expanded range of legal services.
The partnership solidifies Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP’s position as the premier law firm in the region. With the addition of NHK, the combined firm will employ 196 professionals, including 113 attorneys, making it one of the larger private-sector employers in the Capital Region.
“As we approach WOH’s 50th anniversary, adding the NHK team is a reflection of our continued commitment to thoughtful, organic growth that aligns with our culture and reputation,” said Robert Schofield, Managing Partner at WOH. “NHK’s exceptional track record in the areas of banking, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy perfectly complements WOH’s vision of assembling top-tier professionals committed to excellence in the service of our clients. This collaboration not only enhances our ability to provide outstanding legal services but also fosters professional development within our firm.”
“Adding NHK’s banking, lending, restructuring and insolvency practices to WOH’s broad and complementary legal capabilities creates a highly synergistic combination,” said Justin A. Heller, Co-Managing Partner at NHK.
“At NHK, we’ve built a client-driven culture focused on ensuring that our clients receive our utmost attention and the highest caliber of legal services, while emphasizing employee development and retention—values that seamlessly align with WOH’s approach,” said Madeline H. Kibrick Kauffman, Co-Managing Partner at NHK. “Joining WOH enhances our team’s collective ability to provide an extensive and deep suite of legal services to our clients.”
As WOH prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, the partnership underscores its deep roots in Albany, where it has been named a Best Place to Work by the Albany Business Review for three consecutive years. WOH takes pride in its strong culture of support and retention, with 60% of employees having been with the firm for over 10 years, including 37% for over 20 years and 16% for over 30 years. Both firms also share a commitment to the Capital Region community, demonstrated through initiatives including the Proctors Ambassador Program and other firmwide volunteer efforts.
The addition of NHK includes the integration of NHK team members in Albany and Western New York. With WOH’s headquarters remaining in the Capital Region, and its continued presence in Poughkeepsie, this expansion extends the firm’s statewide reach while reinforcing its commitment to the Capital Region’s economic growth.
