Wake Up Call: Big Four’s Push into Legal Services Catches Regulators’ Eyes

• The large St. Louis-based Bryan Cave is in talks with London-based Berwin Leighton Paisner for a merger that would create a firm with 1,500 lawyers in 32 offices across 12 countries, covering markets on four continents, the two law firms said. ( BLB )

• Ever since PwC announced it would create a Washington, D.C. law firm in its network of affiliated businesses, U.S. regulators have been keeping a close eye on the development. That’s because accounting firms are generally prohibited under U.S. laws from auditing clients while also providing other types of services. This is to ensure independence. ...