A merger between UK-based Eversheds and Atlanta-headquartered Sutherland Asbill & Brennan would create a global firm with around £600m ($800m) in annual turnover, 61 offices in 29 different countries and more than 2,300 lawyers worldwide. To be renamed as Eversheds Sutherland, the merged entity would be the 39^th largest law firm in the world by revenue and would push Eversheds into the UK top 10. Partners from both firms are expected to vote on the tie-up in the coming weeks.

A US foothold for Eversheds

A merger with Sutherland would add 178 new partners to Eversheds’ existing 358-strong partnership. The Atlanta-based firm specialises in corporate, energy and environmental, financial services, intellectual property, litigation, real estate and tax work. Its 600-strong team is spread across offices in key US hubs including Austin, Atlanta, Houston, New York, Sacramento, California and Washington DC, as well as outposts in London and Geneva secured through a 2014 tie-up with commodities boutique Arbis.  

Integrated global service

Eversheds has been vocal about its desire for a US tie-up in recent years, having previously held unsuccessful merger negotiations with Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner at the end of last year. Eversheds chief executive Bryan Hughes said in a statement: ‘Eversheds has an exceptionally strong reputation for international client service and our strategic ambition is to provide a high-quality offering and a single legal solution to clients wherever they are required globally. Joining forces with Sutherland will give each firm’s clients a global platform and we will be discussing the proposal with our partners positively in the coming weeks.’ Mr Hughes is set to end his tenure as CEO next year, with managing partner Lee Ranson recently elected to take over from May.

Sources: The Lawyer; Legal Week