Frost Brown Todd LLP (FPT) and Gibbons P.C. will merge at the start of 2026, creating an 800-lawyer firm with 25 offices nationwide. The combined firm, FBT Gibbons LLP, aims to be a major mid-market player with expanded geographic reach and a deep bench of talent across growing industry sectors.
“A lot of firms have a strategic growth timeline. We aim for the best strategic fit — not growth for growth’s sake,” said John Kellogg, partner-in-charge of FBT’s Denver office. While “we do not have a timeline for strategic growth,” he added, the Gibbons combination is a natural fit because both firms are known for their client-forward practices and share a collaborative culture.
“When it comes to culture, a key aspect of both firms is that we are driven by our clients,” Kellogg said. “We are unique among the national firms in that we do not operate with a home office or a mothership.”
FBT’s structure drives collaboration among offices, “encouraging our team to utilize talent regardless of location that can best serve the specific needs of our clients,” he said. “We believe that approach is in our clients’ best interests and drives further development of our team.”
FBT’s reputation for team-based work is mirrored by Gibbons. “We prioritize responsiveness,” Kellogg said. This was demonstrated during his recent travels, with every client receiving a prompt response from the client service team, regardless of Kellogg’s availability.
Leaders from both firms said the combination, approved by each partnership, will create a comprehensive platform for client service and community engagement. FBT Gibbons will serve clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high-growth startups and middle-market businesses.
FBT Chairman Robert Sartin will serve as chairman of the new firm. Gibbons Managing Director Peter Torcicollo and FBT CEO Adam Hall will serve as co-managing partners.
Torcicollo said the combination “supercharges our strategic ambitions,” pointing to expanded litigation talent and a nationwide footprint. The firm’s increased scale, Hall added, will support ongoing investments in talent, technology and operational systems
The combination brings together two firms with long histories. FBT — with more than 650 attorneys in 18 offices — advises over half of the Fortune 100 and has developed a reputation for industry-focused transactional services in finance, manufacturing, energy and innovation. Gibbons, with nearly 100 years of experience, has a strong presence in the Northeast and national recognition for litigation and regulatory work.
Together, Kellogg said, “we have a true national platform.” A transaction lawyer, Kellogg appreciates that FBT Gibbons will have a strong presence in key U.S. markets, including Denver, Dallas, New York and San Francisco. On the litigation side, a multi-jurisdiction footprint “is a big benefit for our clients when you’re in the middle of substantial litigation,” he said.
Logistically, the firms are “dedicating a lot of resources to create a team of individuals that will work collaboratively across all offices and industry groups” to ensure a smooth transition, noted Kellogg. “We are making sure everybody is part of the right team.”
Targeted operational practices that could improve efficiency across the combined firm are being implemented, and FBT Gibbons will continue FBT’s longstanding emphasis on mentorship and personalized professional development.
Kellogg said he’s grateful for the opportunities the combination presents for his team and clients. “We started with six lawyers in our Denver office in 2024, and we have over 25 lawyers today. Now, as attorneys are hearing about this combination, they recognize that FBT Gibbons provides a strong platform to expand their practice and better serve their clients.”
Looking beyond 2026, Kellogg believes “opportunities in our region and nationally will continue organically as we remain client-focused and continue to deploy the right talent mix to serve our clients.”