U.S. and U.K. Law Firms Merging: What You Need to Know

Summary

The U.S. and U.K. are seeing more and more law firms forming an alliance and merging to form a single international legal practice. A recent announcement has revealed that two of the leading global law firms, Dechert and Memery Crystal, have merged to form DechertMemery Crystal International LLP.


This merger includes the establishment of a new law practice combining the deep global capabilities of Dechert and the wider coverage of Memery Crystal across the United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa, and the European Union. Both firms will benefit from the cross-pollination of the respective cultures, experience, and reputation of the two firms to create a notable international legal practice.

Dechert has long been a leader in the legal world, with a long history of providing high-quality legal services across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It has an esteemed global network of over 860 lawyers in over 20 offices. Memery Crystal, on the other hand, has been making waves in the U.K. legal market for more than 170 years. It has provided comprehensive legal services to clients from numerous countries and has a strong presence in specialised sectors like financial services, technology, media, and telecommunications.

This merger will result in the new DechertMemery Crystal International LLP having the strength and international reach of the two firms combined, providing clients access to a truly global law practice. The firm will be offering comprehensive legal services to clients, covering a wide array of sectors and jurisdictions. Clients of the new firm will benefit from access to local expertise, regulatory advice, and joint venture capabilities.

Additionally, DechertMemery Crystal has committed to delivering innovative legal solutions to a wide range of clients in the financial services sector. The firm will be offering integrated legal services as part of their strategy to become a leader in the financial services sector.

The DechertMemery Crystal merger is a prime example of the growing trend of international law firms merging and forming alliances. This alliance will create a new and more powerful international legal practice that will provide access to legal services across a broad range of sectors, jurisdictions, and specialised areas. This will allow clients to access a full spectrum of legal services from one global legal practice.
 

U.S. and U.K. Firms Merge

In a historic merger between two of the world's top law firms, U.S. firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and U.K. firm Linklaters will be joining forces to create an international legal powerhouse. The merger is the first of its kind, and will combine the resources and expertise of the two firms, creating a new firm with more than 5,000 lawyers located in more than 30 locations around the world.

The new firm, which has yet to be named, will have a presence in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This move marks a significant shift in the legal landscape, as two of the largest and most powerful law firms in the world come together. It is seen as a bold move that will create a firm that is unrivaled in terms of its global reach and influence.

The merger is the latest in a series of deals between U.S. and U.K. law firms in recent years, as firms seek to capitalize on the efficiencies that can be gained from combining their resources and knowledge. This merger is particularly noteworthy, however, as it will create a new global legal giant with the size and scope to take on any challenge. The combined entity will be well-positioned to better serve the needs of its clients, both domestically and internationally.

The growing demand for cross-border legal services has been a driving force behind the merger. Clients are increasingly looking for legal advice that is rooted in a global perspective, and this merger creates a firm that is capable of providing just that. With lawyers in more than 30 locations around the world, the firm will be able to offer comprehensive legal advice that is tailored to the needs of its domestic and international clients.

The merger also sets a new precedent for the legal industry, demonstrating that firms can come together to form a more powerful entity that can better serve their clients' needs. It will be interesting to see how other law firms respond to this development, and whether or not we will see similar mergers in the years to come.

9/27/04

U.S. and U.K. Firms Merge
U.S. firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, based in New York, and U.K. firm Nicholson Graham & Jones, headquartered in London, will become one as of January 1, 2005. Combined, they will employ 950 lawyers in 11 cities, including London. New York Law Journal, 9/23/04

Sheppard Mullin Expands to New York
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton is opening a New York office that will be staffed by nine attorneys and deal with entertainment law and white-collar litigation. Four of the associates, including managing partner James McGuire, were sourced from White & Case. The Recorder, 9/23/04

Latham & Watkins Adds Seven to Paris Office
Ashurst, headquartered in the U.K., has provided four partners and three other associates to Latham & Watkins' Paris branch, which now employs more than 100 attorneys. The Lawyer, 9/22/04

Kirkpatrick & Lockhart's Dallas Office Grows
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart has brought aboard eight more attorneys in Dallas. Seven of these attorneys arrive by way of Godwin Gruber. These additions increase the attorney staff by nearly 25%. Firm Press Release, 9/21/04

Fried Frank Gathers Several from Ashurst
Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson's London office will be the new home to six attorneys, including two partners. The six have jumped ship from Ashurst. Previously, Fried Frank and Ashurst had discussed merging, but those negotiations broke down last year. Legal Week, 9/23/04

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