This year’s trend grips another pair.

It is understood that the respective managements have been holding discussions about a merger over recent months. A plan has taken shape which was announced to the firms’ partnerships yesterday – votes on the merger are expected before the end of this year.

If it goes ahead they will join the growing band of cross-atlantic mergers alongside Hogan Lovells and the combo due to be created by US firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal and Denton Wilde Sapte next month.

Looks like Tony and George may have inspired a new era of transatlantic cooperation.