A few law firms have announced that they're joining forces, which is consistent with our recent report that law firm mergers are rebounding in the third quarter.

After months of rumors, global law firm Norton Rose confirmed this morning that it is merging with U.S. law firm Fulbright & Jaworski. The new firm will clock in as one of the world's largest, comprising 3,800 lawyers and 55 offices. According to a Norton Rose press release, the merger will be complete June 1, 2013. The new firm will be known as Norton Rose Fulbright.

Boston-based Choate, Hall & Stewart will also be getting a little bigger. The firm announced yesterday that it has acquired WilmerHale's four-partner private client practice group. The group, which includes Jennifer Snyder, Nan Giner, Michael Fay and Brian Monnich, specializes in representing investment bankers, venture capitalists and other clients with high net values. The group is slated to begin working at Choate on Dec 1.