Squire Sanders & Dempsey chairman Jim Maiwurm is set to become global chairman following its proposed merger with Hammonds, as details of the new firm's framework begin to emerge.

The proposed tie-up, announced last week (25 August), would see Maiwurm (pictured above left) head the transatlantic firm, with a European chair position also being discussed, likely to be filled by Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley.

The deal is likely to see the firms retain separate profit pools, in common with recent mergers between Lovells and Hogan & Hartson and Denton Wilde Sapte and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.

The name of the combined entity, if it goes live as planned on 1 January 2011, is still under discussion, although Squire Sanders Hammonds has been cited as one possibility.

The merger, which will be voted on in the coming months, will need 75% approval from the Hammonds partnership and a two-thirds majority from Squire Sanders in a closed vote.

Crossley (pictured above right) said: "We are now in a period of tying down the various detailed strands with a view to finalising discussions as quickly as possible. The important point is that overall we are going to be one firm."

Under the blueprint for the new firm, Squire Sanders' London office will move to Hammonds City base. Hammonds will officially wind down its association in Russia with Zhigachov Christophoroff, which it says has not been active recently. Hammonds will also end its existing informal referral relationship with US firm Holland & Knight.