Chicago, New York law firms merge

Chicago-based law firm Freeborn & Peters L.L.P. said Wednesday it has completed its merger with Hargraves, McConnell & Costigan P.C. in New York, adding to its insurance practice.

The firm now has 19 partners in the insurance/reinsurance practice, compared with 16 prior to the merger. Freeborn said it plans to expand the New York office’s practice areas to include real estate and corporate law.

“With the firm’s growing emphasis on international arbitration and litigation for other industries, New York is an ideal location in which to offer our sophisticated litigation capabilities,” Joseph T. McCullough IV, leader of the insurance/reinsurance practice group and member of the Freeborn executive committee, said in a statement.

In a statement, Freeborn noted “Hargraves’ strong reputation in the insurance and reinsurance industries in litigating and arbitrating disputes arising out of both domestic and international contracts.”