Lewis and Roca LLP, headquartered in Phoenix and a Southwestern leader in representing businesses in litigation and complex real estate transactions, and Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP, a century-old Rocky Mountain firm with nationally recognized litigation and banking practices, announced today they will combine forces to create one of the largest law firms in the Western U.S.

When the firms officially join on September 1, 2013, the new 250-lawyer firm will be called Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP. With a presence in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming, the firm will maintain nine offices, including Phoenix , Denver, Las Vegas, Tucson, Reno, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, Silicon Valley and Casper.

“Our growth into new markets is driven by our commitment to client service and our clients’ interest in gaining access to legal services throughout the West,” said Lewis and Roca’s Managing Partner Kenneth Van Winkle. “We found a solid partner in Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons and quickly realized our growth strategies aligned. Our two firms are strong apart, and we will be even stronger together.”

Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons Chairman Frederick J. Baumann said the combination was consistent with his firm’s strategic plan and was fueled by clients who want access to legal counsel in markets where their businesses are growing.

“Our clients have been expanding in the Southwest region for some time and encouraged us to find an opportunity to establish a presence there,” said Baumann. “With Lewis and Roca, we are partnering with a firm with an equally strong reputation in its practices and markets. Lewis and Roca not only shares our commitment to client service, but is a seamless fit strategically, culturally and professionally.”

The combination will strengthen the two firms’ existing national litigation practices, creating an expanded team of litigators with added experience across additional jurisdictions. It also will expand the firms’ business transactional, real estate and energy practices, which will enable the new firm to advise clients on projects from creation to completion.