Lovells and Hogan & Hartson Confirm Transatlantic Tie-Up
Will this be the first of many?
For Lovells and Hogan it should represent a strong strategic opportunity, cue their press statment:
“Hogan Lovells presents a compelling proposition to our clients and to the market more generally.
“The new firm will have unrivalled global capability and distinctive strengths in dispute resolution, regulatory, antitrust, corporate, finance, intellectual property and real estate.”
Hogan & Hartson chairman Warren Gorrell said: ‘Each firm will preserve its shared cultural and core values – collegiality, teamwork, and worldwide leadership in community service.’
The merger will create a top 10 global practice with 2,500 lawyers and revenues of around $1.8bn (£1.1bn). The firm will be rebranded as Hogan Lovells, which has already invited the nickname Ho-Love in the US.
The market is alive with firms stalking potential soul mates according to a survey by accountancy and financial services group Smith & Williamson. Whether conversions will be positive strategic visions or forced defensive plays will only become obvious when candidates surface.
Who’s in the game? Speculation about a potential tie up between Halliwells and Manches ended abruptly in September. Rumours also hit Allen & Overy back in the Autumn but were dismissed. Other firms hit third base and actually partnered up this year including Hill Dickinson which announced a merger with London-based Middleton Potts in May and Thompsons which merged with rival Rowley Ashworth around the same time.
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