Two prominent Boston law firms, 340-lawyer Edwards & Angell and 180-lawyer Palmer & Dodge, today announced that they will merge, effective Nov. 1. The combined firm, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, will have 520 attorneys, nine offices and 20-plus practice areas in the United States.

“We believe our increased size and depth will be a platform for growth, giving us a competitive edge that will allow us to continue to attract the best lawyers, clients and work,” Charles DeWitt, managing partner of Palmer & Dodge, said in a statement announcing the merger. DeWitt will become co-managing partner of the new firm, along with Terrence Finn, managing partner of Edwards & Angell. Both will be based in Boston.

Edwards & Angell has offices in Boston; New York; Providence, R.I.; Hartford and Stamford, Conn.; Short Hills, N.J.; Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Wilmington, Del. Its focus is financial services, private equity, venture capital and technology. Boston-based Palmer & Dodge has become known in recent years for its representation of life sciences and technology companies.

In 2000, Edwards & Angell merged with the intellectual property firm Dike Bronstein Roberts & Cushman.

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Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.