We appear to be in the throes of a law firm merger frenzy.
In the year’s first six months, we’ve already seen 28 mostly midsized U.S. firm mergers take effect. Some activity has also taken place outside the U.S., with Holland & Knight absorbing Bogotá, Colombia-based firm Cuberos Cortés Gutiérrez and several Canadian regional firms combining, including two midsized Toronto firms forming one of the biggest law firm tie-ups in that city in more than a decade. And then, of course, there’s the pending merger of U.K.-based Allen & Overy and U.S.-headquartered Shearman & Sterling, which the firms’ leaders say they fully expect their respective partnerships will vote through in October after the leadership completes its roadshow.