Newark-based Gibbons P.C. and Frost Brown Todd (FBT) announced their agreement to merge, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The combined entity will be known as FBT Gibbons LLP, creating a formidable national platform with approximately 800 attorneys across 25 offices nationwide.
The merger is a significant strategic step, particularly for FBT, which will gain a critical Northeast and mid-Atlantic footprint, adding offices in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This expansion leverages Gibbons’ strong reputation in litigation—including trial, commercial, and white-collar defense—and bolsters FBT’s national transactional and litigation capabilities.
Leadership and scope
The leadership structure of FBT Gibbons will see Robert Sartin, current chairman of FBT, serve as chairman of the combined firm. Peter Torcicollo, managing director of Gibbons, and Adam Hall, CEO of FBT, will serve as co-managing partners.
“This combination is a transformational step for both firms, creating a best-in-class national platform with deeper resources,” said Robert Sartin. He emphasized that the combination will better position them to “partner with clients and grow in the markets that matter most.”
Peter Torcicollo added that the merger “supercharges our strategic ambitions and amplifies our impact from coast to coast,” providing clients access to a more robust bench of “industry-savvy attorneys.”
Enhanced capabilities
FBT Gibbons will offer expanded capabilities to clients ranging from the Fortune 500 to mid-sized and growth-oriented start-ups. The firm’s new scale is intended to allow for continued investment in talent, technology, and systems.
Key synergies are expected in the strategic focus areas of finance, manufacturing, and energy. The combination will provide direct access to key innovation centers, court systems, and leading finance hubs, particularly through Gibbons’ established Northeast presence.
FBT has a century-long history of serving leading American corporations, while Gibbons P.C. will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, maintaining its proud headquarters in Newark, where it was founded by Andrew B. Crummy. The new firm, FBT Gibbons, is positioned to become a national legal powerhouse built on complementary strengths and shared values.
