Merger Announced: The Irvine-based law firm of...

Merger Announced: The Irvine-based law firm of Harwood, Adkinson & Meindl said Tuesday that it has merged with the Los Angeles firm of Barger & Wolen, which specializes in business insurance law.

Harwood was founded 43 years ago and now has eight attorneys, most of them practicing real estate law. Barger has 51 attorneys and is best known for its work defending insurers in connection with Proposition 103 issues and litigation.

Harwood will adopt the name of Barger & Wolen, a company spokesman said.