The merger bid between US giants Dewey Ballantine and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe is edging closer with both firms' management set to publicly recommend the deal this week.

A vote is now expected for December with the two firms aiming for the merger to go live by 1 January, practising under the banner Dewey Orrick.

Dewey chairman Morton Pierce and Orrick head Ralph Baxter, who have led the merger negotiations, released a statement today backing the tie-up in principle.