ATLANTA—Lambert Edwards & Associates, one of the Midwest's leading independent public relations firms, has acquired Atlanta-based IR Squared, an investor relations firm with a roster of national public company clients.

IR Squared is a full-service investor relations agency serving small- to large-cap clients with expertise in targeting and relationship management with analysts, portfolio managers, bondholders, creditors and the financial media. The firm also provides management and board consulting on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, turnarounds, divestitures, shareholder proxy fights and other crises.

IR Squared principal Robert Burton has joined Lambert Edwards as managing director and head of the firm's financial communications practice. A 30-year veteran of investor relations and corporate communications and a former journalist, Burton previousl he headed investor relations departments at five NYSE-listed companies including Home Depot, Kmart, U.S. Shoe, Penn Central and Insilco.

LE&A says it will integrate the IR Squared client base, its investor outreach process and database, under the Lambert Edwards banner.

The addition of IR Squared marks LE&A's fourth acquisition and second in the investor relations realm. LE&A announced a strategic initiative in early 2009 to pursue mergers and acquisitions aimed at complementing its current geography and service offerings.