Meridian

The firm

Four partners, one rule, thirty-eight years

Meridian Vance LLP was formed in Boston in 1988 on a single working principle: the lawyer who takes the first call stays on the matter until it closes. Everything else about the firm follows from it.

The firm

Built for matters that outlast a single quarter

Meridian was founded in 1988 by four partners who left a national firm because they were tired of handing a client to a different team at every stage. Their arrangement was simple: whoever takes the first call stays on the matter until it closes.

That structure is still the firm. Sixty-four attorneys, three offices, and no practice group large enough for a client to become a file number. Managing partner Eleanor R. Vance has led the firm since 2014.

Meridian

How the firm holds itself

  • The partner who takes your first call argues the motion
  • Fixed-fee arrangements available on transactional work
  • Conflicts cleared within one business day, in writing

History

Thirty-eight years, five decisions

  1. 1988

    The firm is formed

    Four partners open an office on Beaufort Street with eleven clients and one rule about who stays on a matter.

  2. 1997

    Litigation group established

    A trial practice is added so that transactional clients no longer need a second firm when a deal goes to dispute.

  3. 2006

    New York office opens

    Capital markets work moves closer to the underwriters, and the firm adopts a single matter record across both offices.

  4. 2014

    Eleanor R. Vance becomes managing partner

    The fixed-fee programme for transactional work is introduced, and written budgets become standard on every engagement.

  5. 2021

    Washington office opens

    Regulatory and investigations work is placed alongside the agencies it appears before, completing the three-office structure.

Partners

The partners who answer for the work

Four of the sixteen partners at Meridian Vance. Each leads a group and each carries matters personally.

Eleanor R. Vance

Managing Partner · Mergers & Acquisitions

Leads the firm and its M&A group. Twenty-two years advising boards on control transactions, with particular depth in founder-held businesses selling to strategic acquirers.

Bar admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Marcus Oyelaran

Partner · Securities & Capital Markets

Counsel to issuers and underwriters on registered and exempt offerings. Formerly with the Division of Corporation Finance at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Bar admissions

  • New York
  • District of Columbia

Priya Raghunathan

Partner · Complex Commercial Litigation

Tries fiduciary and contract disputes for boards and shareholder groups. Has argued nine appeals before the First Circuit and served as lead trial counsel in fourteen matters.

Bar admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Daniel Whitcombe

Partner · Regulatory & Investigations

Conducts internal investigations and represents companies before federal regulators. Previously an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.

Bar admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • District of Columbia