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Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Lewitt Hackman Expands With GSA Addition

Lewitt Hackman added four attorneys to its roster by absorbing nearby Encino law firm Goldfarb Sturman & Averbach, on Sept. 1. After 61 years of business, GSA closed its doors on Aug. 31. Partners Zane Averbach, Mark Phillips and Steven Feldman joined Lewitt Hackman as shareholders, and Alex Hemmelgarn will be added as an associate, the firm said. Lewitt Hackman, also in Encino at 16633 Ventura Blvd., will expand to a total of 38 attorneys as a result of the deal. “Each with experience of more than 30 years, Zane, Mark and Steve are widely recognized for handling complex business, tax, estate planning, real estate, environmental and litigation matters,” said Keith Zimmet, president and managing shareholder of Lewitt Hackman. “Their stature in our community and long-term record of providing quality legal services will only enhance our ability to meet our clients’ legal needs in an ever more complex legal environment.” GSA was the longest-standing member of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, according to Averbach, founded in 1965 by Sam Goldfarb. Former partners of GSA believe that they’ll be able to better serve their client base and new clients with resources available at a bigger firm such as Lewitt Hackman. “I feel strongly that that is what’s happening in America,” said Phillips. “The role of small firms like ours have declined in virtually every field. It’s declined in financial advising, accounting – it’s certainly declined in medicine. These kinds of firms, as good as we are as individuals, we’re just not as efficient today as 30 years ago.” “You can’t be an expert in everything,” added Averbach. “You need a bigger base. I think we’re just as sophisticated in our particular fields. Zane and I are lawyers and LLMs in tax, but a firm is just less efficient with five lawyers than it is with 35 lawyers.” Founded in 1969 and currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, Lewitt Hackman offers the following practice groups: business and civil litigation, commercial finance, corporate, employment, environmental, family law, franchise and distribution, health care, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, personal injury, real estate, tax planning, and trusts and estate planning.

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