The combination between trans-Atlantic firm Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie planned for Jan. 1 will allow both firms to compete at a higher level with lower rates, particularly in at least three main practice areas, firm leaders said.

The new firm—to be called Womble Bond Dickinson (US)—will have more than 1,300 lawyers from coast to coast in the U.S. and U.K. after both firms’ partners and Womble’s U.K. board approved the combination Aug. 27, leaders said.