Sidley & Austin's London head Drew Scott has been selected to run the firm's new office after it merges with Brown & Wood, creating one of the largest US practices in London.
Scott's selection was decided two weeks ago in the US, as part of a number of strategic decisions under discussion. Legal Week understands a vote date of 20 April has also been set for the merger with the new firm to be effective from 1 May.
Christopher Mead, a popular managing partner in the London office of Brown & Wood, will
still be involved in the decision-making process.
He is expected to be part of a new management committee of about four partners from both firms in London. The final details of the committee have yet to be thrashed out. Mead will also be head of US capital markets in London.
Legal Week understands Scott was chosen purely because there are more lawyers on the Sidleys side, which has twice as many London-based lawyers as its new suitor.
If the merger goes ahead, the London office will have about 100 lawyers and will create a broad-based finance practice to rival magic circle firms.