CHICAGO, Jan. 25 - The Chicago law firm Harris Kessler & Goldstein LLC has merged with McDonald Hopkins LLC - a full-service business law firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, effective Feb. 1, 2007. Harris Kessler & Goldstein will maintain its current office at 640 North LaSalle Street and will operate under the name McDonald Hopkins.

McDonald Hopkins has more than 120 attorneys, with offices in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and West Palm Beach, Florida. The firm offers services in all aspects of business law, litigation, business restructuring and estate planning services.

Delivering the same personalized legal services as they have since founding the firm in 1995, lead practice group attorneys Steve Harris, Rick Kessler, John Goldstein and Ryann Whalen will continue the firm's focus on corporate law, healthcare, real estate, estate planning and commercial litigation, with added resources from McDonald Hopkins' experienced attorneys.

"As part of a larger organization, we can now offer our clients enhanced services with deeper resources and immediate access to a network of accomplished attorneys and professionals," said Steve Harris, Chicago office co-managing shareholder. "McDonald Hopkins complements our culture, operating philosophies and legal strengths. This opportunity will help us better serve our existing clients throughout the greater Chicago area and beyond."

"For the 80-year-old McDonald Hopkins, the merger represents a strategic advancement to provide legal business services in the Chicago area and reach deeper into the Midwest," said firm president, Joseph J. LoPresti.

"As a significant regional firm, Chicago is an important step in our long- term business strategy and the attorneys from Harris Kessler & Goldstein share our goals," he said.

McDonald Hopkins, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a full-service business law firm with more than 120 attorneys with offices in Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; West Palm Beach, Florida; Detroit, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois. For more information visit mcdonaldhopkins.com.