Is Big Law finally about to enter a long-heralded period of sustained trans-Atlantic consolidation?

It certainly has been a busy year so far, with a continued wave of cross-border deals driving U.S. law firm merger activity to record highs.

Fifty-two combinations involving U.S.-based firms were announced in the first six months of 2017, according to management consultancy Altman Weil, topping the previous midyear peak of 48, which was set in 2015 and matched in 2016.