Donny Luker, managing partner of Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC, Atlanta, announced Thursday that Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC signed definitive agreements with the members of Hazlett, Lewis, & Bieter, PLLC.  The agreement calls for the admission to M&J all of the members of the Chattanooga based firm.

Mr. Luker stated that, "Hazlett, Lewis, & Bieter, PLLC is a proven successful firm that provides quality service to their clients and professional opportunities for their people.  We are proud to move forward with them as a part of the M&J Team.  Together, we have a stronger and broader resource base from which to draw in order to provide services to our clients, and through the market expansion to offer more opportunities for our people and partners." 

As a result of the combinations, M&J will have approximately $46,000,000 in net fees, 45 partners, and approximately 280 people.  The firm's client base will stretch across the southeast and will include a core of entrepreneurial services clients as well as niche practices in not for profit, governmental, healthcare, and financial institutions.  

Mr. Luker further stated that, "The services we offer include a strong focus on traditional areas of audit and tax as well as many specialty areas like litigation support, healthcare reimbursement consulting, and business valuation services." 

Hazlett, Lewis, & Bieter, PLLC is made up of partners and employees who have been practicing in the Chattanooga area for 70 years.  Hazlett, Lewis, & Bieter, PLLC has approximately 65 partners and staff who serve clients throughout Tennessee and the surrounding area.  The firm of Hazlett, Lewis, & Bieter, PLLC has a financial institution and entrepreneurial services client base in both tax and audit, with specialties in technology consulting.  All partners of Hazlett, Lewis, & Bieter, PLLC will join M&J.  Warren McEwen, the incoming managing partner of Hazlett, Lewis, & Bieter, PLLC will remain as partner in charge of M&J's Chattanooga operations.
Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC will relocate several partners and staff to the Chattanooga area to enhance services capabilities.  These partners and staff specialize in the governmental and banking areas.   

"The combination of our two firms is a cultural, financial, and strategic fit," Mr. Luker stated. 

The transactions are scheduled to close on or before June 1.