Partners at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) are set to vote on the proposed merger with SJ Berwin this month, as their counterparts at the UK firm gear up to begin their own vote this week.

Partners across KWM's offices in China, Hong Kong and Australia are set to vote on the potential tie-up before the end of July, with 75% approval required in order for the merger to progress.

The news comes after SJ Berwin held a partner meeting last Wednesday (17 July), at which seven days' notice was given ahead of the opening of the UK firm's vote, which will also close by the end of July. SJ Berwin partners discussed the potential merger last month at the firm's annual retreat in Marbella.

Key considerations surrounding the merger, which would be structured as a Swiss Verein, include branding options, including the possibility of dropping the SJ Berwin name, as well as the overlap in both firms' London and Hong Kong operations.

KWM operates three separate partnerships in China, Hong Kong and Australia, where it merged with Mallesons Stephen Jacques in March last year. Market sources have suggested the deal faces the most resistance in Australia. Legacy Mallesons previously held discussions about tie-ups with both Linklaters and Clifford Chance.

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

King & Wood Mallesons declined to comment.