It's too soon to say if 2023 will be "the year of the merger" (or "the year firms attempted to merge," given that some serious Big Law talks have been called off and Allen & Overy's tie-up with Shearman & Sterling has yet to be finalized). But we can expect to see continued consolidation as Am Law 100 firms seeking a competitive edge—and, in many cases, a stronger geographic footprint—pick up smaller firms striving to scale up. Among the more than two dozen mergers so far this year are Orrick's with Washington, D.C. firm Buckley and Clyde & Co.'s with Boston boutique Hermes Netburn, while Eversheds Sutherland recently announced a co-operation agreement with King & Wood Mallesons. Numerous smaller firms have likewise expanded their footprint.