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Pittsburgh-Based Law Firms Houston Harbaugh and Picadio Sneath Miller & Norton Announce Merger

November 10, 2017

The Pittsburgh-based law firms of Houston Harbaugh, P.C. and Picadio Sneath Miller & Norton, P.C. (PSMN®) have agreed to merge, combining the two firms to create a 43-attorney firm to better meet the region’s continually evolving legal needs.  The new firm will operate under the Houston Harbaugh name and be located at Houston Harbaugh’s Three Gateway Center location in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“This merger significantly bolsters Houston Harbaugh’s competitive position in the region’s legal community, specifically strengthening its litigation capabilities in the areas of class actions, construction, energy, environmental, financial services, insurance, intellectual property, life sciences, pharmaceutical, and products liability,” said Samuel H. Simon, Chair of Houston Harbaugh’s Litigation Practice and member of its Executive Committee.  “This merger represents growth through the addition of important new practice areas, while giving the entire firm deeper bench strength with an extremely talented group of attorneys who are a great fit for our firm and our clients.  Clients of both firms will see the benefits in terms of the value we deliver and the expanded resources we offer.”

PSMN’s Henry M. Sneath said, “Our attorneys have known and respected each other for many years.  We believe our collective capabilities and experience will complement each other to create tremendous value for our respective clients.”

As part of the transaction, Sneath will serve as Co-Chair of Houston Harbaugh’s Litigation Practice alongside Samuel H. Simon.  Alan S. Miller, President of PSMN, will chair the firm’s new Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Practice Group.  He will also chair its Environmental and Energy Law Practice.  An operational transition has commenced and is expected to be complete by January 2018.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Our firm has earned a good deal of respect for our role in landmark litigation cases and major corporate and healthcare transactions,” said Alex W. Thomson, President and member of Houston Harbaugh’s Executive Committee. “We believe the merger with PSMN will enhance our ability to continue to meet and exceed client expectations and propel our growth in the region.”

About Houston Harbaugh, P.C.
Houston Harbaugh is among the 20 largest law firms in Pittsburgh. The firm is featured in the 2018 edition of U.S. News “Best Lawyers’® rankings of the nation’s “Best Law Firms,” and seven of its attorneys were recognized as “Best Lawyers” in the nation by the same publication. Houston Harbaugh attorneys are annually recognized in the national Super Lawyers rankings. Houston Harbaugh’s Corporate Practice has been selected as the winner of The Legal Intelligencer’s Best Law Firm Corporate Practices contest for the Midsize Firm category. The firm’s focus areas include: Business Law; Health Care Law; Estates and Trusts; Litigation; Oil and Gas; Real Estate; Employment and Labor; and Public Finance. Houston Harbaugh has built its reputation by responsively delivering effective solutions to clients that incorporate both legal and business strategies. The firm’s client-centered philosophy is at the core of everything it does.  www.hh-law.com

About Picadio Sneath Miller & Norton, P.C.
Picadio Sneath Miller & Norton was founded in Pittsburgh in 1985 and is a highly-rated litigation boutique.  The firm consistently has been rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and appears in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.  It has been recognized as one of the “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® and is also nationally ranked in “Litigation – Environmental” and regionally ranked in 11 additional practice areas, including “Litigation – Intellectual Property,” and “Commercial Litigation,” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®. The principals have been recognized as Best Lawyers in their practice groups for over a decade, and numerous lawyers have been recognized annually as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. The firm has evolved over time with a focus on litigation and a specific emphasis on business, commercial, environmental, insurance coverage, intellectual property, construction, pharmaceutical, products, and toxic and tort litigation. – Business Litigation. Pittsburgh Strong.®www.psmn.com

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