Southwestern law firm Lewis and Roca LLP announced its plan to merge with Rothgerber, a smaller Denver-based company.

Phoenix-based Lewis and Roca LLP was founded in 1950 and currently has 44 local attorneys. The firm launched its Las Vegas unit in 1999 and has expanded to branches in Reno, Arizona, New Mexico and California.

Rothgerber, whose first office opened its doors in downtown Denver in 1903, has units in Colorado and Wyoming. The law firm takes on legal cases in various areas including international business, campaign finance and labor and employment.

The merger is expected to be finalized on September 1, 2013 and the merged firm will be named Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP. Other stipulations of the agreement remained undisclosed. 

"Our clients have been expanding in the Southwest region for some time and encouraged us to find an opportunity to establish a presence there," said Rothgerber Chairman Frederick Baumann in an official statement. "With Lewis and Roca, we are partnering with a firm with an equally strong reputation in its practices and markets."