Merger discussions between struggling New York law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP and law firm SNR Denton collapsed yesterday after a whirlwind nine-day courtship, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The soured talks mean that options are shrinking for Dewey, which is considering a number of alternatives including deals with other law firms, as it struggles under heavy debts and an exodus of partners in the past month. SNR Denton had suggested doing a full merger, in which it would have taken on more than 1,000 remaining Dewey lawyers. The deal, proposed by SNR Denton to Dewey leadership early last week, gained momentum throughout the week but talks faltered after Dewey leaders said that the Manhattan district attorney's office had opened a criminal investigation into the firm, with specific focus on former firm chairman Steven Davis.
