Top 100 US firm Blank Rome has hired a 25-strong corporate and finance team from Burns & Levinson to open in Boston, its 15th office in the US.

The team includes 13 partners, led by Frank Segall and Josef Volman, who served as Burns & Levinson’s corporate, finance and cannabis practice group chairs. Segall and Volman will serve as co-chairs of Blank Rome’s Boston office, with Segall also becoming co-chair of the firm’s cannabis practice. 

The remaining partners include Michael Andreasen, Caitlin Barrett, Rodney Bedow, Max Borg, Gil Breiman, Alison Harrall, Mark Manning, Scott Moskol, Robert Petitt, Chad Porter and Thomas Reith, alongside a group of 12 associates.

The new group specialises in areas such as M&A, securities law, private equity, venture capital and finance, advising corporate counsel across local, national and international businesses in a range of industries. The cannabis team also offers a range of services including cannabis business formation, regulatory and legal compliance, joint ventures, financing and more.

Grant Palmer, chair and managing partner of Blank Rome, said: “We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of corporate and finance attorneys – one of the leading corporate teams in the market – to Blank Rome and have them establish our presence in Boston.”

He added: “This powerhouse team is nationally recognised for their corporate, finance, M&A, securities and litigation work, as well as their market-leading transactional cannabis practice, which Blank Rome has been looking to develop nationally.”

Segall arrives after more than 28 years at Burns & Levinson, while Volman arrives after just over 25 years. Volman was previously an associate at legacy firm Squadron Ellenoff Plesent & Sheinfeld.

Volman said: “It is rare to have a team like ours that has practiced together for 25 years. We are proud of the family-like atmosphere we have fostered among our team and are fortunate to have found an Am Law 100 firm that has the same collegial culture and values. We look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues to serve our clients and community.”

Blank Rome is the latest firm to enter Boston. Also today, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett added funds partner Kenneth Burdon from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom ahead of its Boston debut later this year. Last month, Paul Hastings hired the former co-leader of Sidley Austin’s international private equity practice Alexander Temel to spearhead its new Boston office, while last year Clyde & Co opened in Boston after absorbing local insurance boutique Hermes Netburn O’Connor & Spearing.