SJ Berwin partners are set to discuss the firm's potential tie-up with Asia Pacific leader King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) at a partner conference this weekend (8-9 June), as the two firms edge closer to voting on the deal.

Partners will discuss the union at the UK firm's annual partner retreat, which is being held in Marbella this year.

It is understood that the potential tie-up, which would see SJ Berwin joining KWM's Swiss Verein structure, has been loosely discussed at previous partner meetings but not formally with the partnership as a whole. Issues likely to be covered include the merged firm's name, with SJ Berwin's name potentially set to disappear.

It is unclear whether there will be any kind of formal vote or poll at the SJ Berwin conference, however partners at both firms are expected to vote over the next six weeks. The deal will need the separate approval of both legacy Mallesons' Australian partnership as well as KWM's operations in mainland China and Hong Kong.

Former partners suggest the deal faces most resistance in Australia, as legacy Mallesons previously held discussions about tie-ups with both Linklaters and Clifford Chance.

One former KWM lawyer said: "They effectively have two camps, the Chinese and the Australians. The Chinese are very keen for the firm to be truly global but no-one is sure what the outcome will be as if you've gone from the magic circle to SJ Berwin [you would expect] to meet some resistance."

A partner at KWM said: "There have been discussions ongoing. If you want a global strategy you need to have an international footprint. Some of the older guys won't buy into it. You can imagine if your practice is domestic. The younger guys realise that we can't just be domestic."

Earlier this year KWM also held talks with Singapore's Wong Partnership about a possible tie-up, but discussions ended when Wong Partnership chose to remain independent.

Last month KWM announced that Tony O'Malley stepped down from the role of Australia managing partner after just 14 months in the job, with Sydney-based partner Sue Kench taking his place.