Lillick McHose to Divide Into Two Law Firms

SAN FRANCISCO — Lillick McHose & Charles, a California law firm with about 250 attorneys, said it will divide itself into two firms--one to be based here, the other in Los Angeles--effective next Jan. 1.

“With the growth and development of both offices, we’ve been running up against more and more conflicts of interest involving clients,” said Alf R. Brandin, co-managing partner of the San Francisco branch. Lawyers in the north would learn to their dismay that their colleagues in the south were representing potential adversaries, and vice versa, he said.

“It has been frustrating, both for the firm and for our clients, to turn business away,” Brandin added.

Charles E. Patterson, managing director of the Los Angeles branch, said the split will go smoothly and shouldn’t ruffle clients. “Though we have shared the name, we have maintained two separate partnerships for the last 12 years,” he said.

New Names Not Decided

The Southern California branch, with 150 attorneys, accounted for about $32.8 million of the firm’s total revenue of $49 million last year, Patterson said.

Other well-known partners in the south include David Mac-Laughlin, David Hayutin, Kenneth Chiate, Michael Meyer and Robert Morrison.

The split won’t be strictly along geographic lines. The San Francisco branch will keep its Sacramento satellite as well as one in Long Beach, which specializes in maritime law. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will continue to oversee San Diego.

The southern branch is best known for its expertise in international and domestic banking and product liability law, while the northern branch does work in finance, labor, real estate, tax law and litigation.

The names of the new firms haven’t been determined. Of the firm’s three named partners, Ira Lillick is dead, John C. (Nip) McHose has an office in Los Angeles and Allan E. Charles is in San Francisco.

McHose and Charles are are in effect semi-retired partners, the firm said.