Allen & Overy to merge with Shearman & Sterling!

[Jake Rickman]

As reported by The Lawyer just now, A&O and Shearman have agreed to merge. This comes off the failed merger talks between Shearman and Hogan Lovells.

A&O will be the first magic circle firm to secure a foothold in the US market with a merger. I will be reviewing this development in this week’s Business of Law Firms, but needless to say this is one of the biggest and most exciting developments in the legal sector!

 

[trainee25_]

Hi Jake, completely agree that this is huge. Can you explain how this isn’t going to be a competition/ antitrust issue?

 

[Jake Rickman]

That’s a good question. Off the top of my head my thinking is that there are loads of other competitors such that the merger isn’t going to compromise supply of legal services to clients.

The size of the firm after the merger is still smaller than Kirkland and Latham, so it’s not like it creates some mega firm. Though I will look into this in more detail and post a more substantive reply in the next couple of days.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jake, completely agree that this is huge. Can you explain how this isn’t going to be a competition/ antitrust issue?

Given how many law firms there are both in the U.K. and the US, and the market share both firms have actually being relatively small in terms of the total market, I can’t see this being an issue.

 

[trinerin]

As reported by The Lawyer just now, A&O and Shearman have agreed to merge. This comes off the failed merger talks between Shearman and Hogan Lovells.

A&O will be the first magic circle firm to secure a foothold in the US market with a merger. I will be reviewing this development in this week’s Business of Law Firms, but needless to say this is one of the biggest and most exciting developments in the legal sector!

Hi Jake, really intrigued to read more about your thoughts on this. Could you possibly direct a newcomer as to how best to find your latest issue of 'Business of Law Firms'. Fascinated to read about any developments you've had the chance to explore.

Thanks!
Trinity

 

[Jake Rickman]

Hi Jake, really intrigued to read more about your thoughts on this. Could you possibly direct a newcomer as to how best to find your latest issue of 'Business of Law Firms'. Fascinated to read about any developments you've had the chance to explore.

Thanks!
Trinity

Hi Trinity,

Thanks for your reply! I am tagging @Erin, who ensures I keep my posts in order (thanks Erin!) — @Erin, could we please direct Trinity to all the posts we've made about the Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merger talks?

 

[Jake Rickman]

Hi Jake, really intrigued to read more about your thoughts on this. Could you possibly direct a newcomer as to how best to find your latest issue of 'Business of Law Firms'. Fascinated to read about any developments you've had the chance to explore.

Thanks!
Trinity

Hi Trinity, here are the two TBLF articles that have covered the A&O/Shearman merger talks so far:

• Business of Law Firms: Allen & Overy to merge with Shearman & Sterling
• Business of Law Firms - Revisiting the A&O and Shearman tie-up

 

[Erin]

Hi Trinity,

Thanks for your reply! I am tagging @Erin, who ensures I keep my posts in order (thanks Erin!) — @Erin, could we please direct Trinity to all the posts we've made about the Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merger talks?

Thanks Jake! 😊

Hi @trinerin, you can find Jake's articles on the Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merger talks here and here.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! 😊