The proposed merger between New York-based Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel’s and London-headquartered Herbert Smith Freehills calls for Kramer’s 63-lawyer Paris office to be spun off, giving the French partners options although not necessarily simple ones.

The merger, which is to become official May 1, 2025, would create Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, a firm with around $2 billion in revenues and more than 2,700 lawyers. It has to be approved by 75% of the partners of both firms in February votes.