The planned merger between District-based law firm Dow Lohnes and Silicon Valley-based law firm Cooley would be leaving out a critical unit upon completion of the consolidation. According to the Washington Post, Cooley would only absorb 54 Dow Lohnes attorneys. The move would also have Dow Lohnes spinning off its lobbying group for sale to other firms. Dow Lohnes' lobbying group roughly earned USD3 million in annual revenue.

President of Dow Lohnes Government Strategies Rick Kessler said, "We looked at [the Cooley deal] and said, ‘This isn't the right fit for any of us. We'll need to find a place where there are synergies such that we grow and whatever firm we're with also grows ... We'd have better ability to grow our business with another platform."

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the lobbying group of the District0based law firm had earned USD2.9 million in revenues. The group's biggest client at that time was Chevron.

Kessler refused to provide names of its potential bidders. However, he disclosed that the lot included large local and international firms. The group also included some smaller public relations, lobby and consulting firms.