Graham & James Breaks Off Talks With New York Law Firm

Graham & James, a prestigious San Francisco law firm, said Monday that its merger talks with Reid & Priest of New York have fallen through.

The firms “mutually” decided late last week to end the negotiations, which had been under way since March, said a Graham & James official. Graham & James is still looking to hook up with a mid-size New York firm.

Reid & Priest has about 200 attorneys, and at the start of the negotiations Graham & James officials had said a merger would immediately grant it the presence it was seeking.

Charles Paturick, managing partner of Graham & James’ Los Angeles office, said: “We are looking at some firms in particular. . . . We have a list.” He declined to identify which firms were on it.

Attorneys at the firm said its search for a New York merger partner has been propelled by client needs. The firm derives much of its business from overseas clients and has several offices abroad.