Clifford Chance Rogers & Wells, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose Fulbright, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and Eversheds Sutherland did it. So can Allen & O’Melveny.

Of the few brave US firms that have bitten the bullet with a partner from across the pond, only one has maintained their cultural identity as half of a merger of equals. As to the others, most attorneys today have never even heard of Rogers & Wells, the once great Fulbright has been thoroughly digested by Norton Rose, and Eversheds views Sutherland as a curious outpost. The jury is still out on Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, although we believe Bryan Cave stands an excellent chance at survival as it is more evenly matched with its counterpart and also has an easier name to remember.

The next transatlantic merger is a matter of time, and while their respective Chairmen continue to offer vociferous denials, Vegas has an Allen & Overy – O’Melveny tie up before the end of 2019 at better than even odds. But to the extent names matter – and they do – O’Melveny should be quivering to the alter because even if they manage to maintain cultural prowess with a firm three times their size, the new partnership will be perpetually known as “A&O” anyway.

In the meantime, we appreciate the good sense of major firm leaders to refrain from discussing their courtships and marital woes in public, as we have sufficient law firm dysfunction entertainment from our firebrand litigation boutiques and from time to time the megalomaniacs from whom they have managed to break away.

Be what may, we look forward to continuing on this journey with all of our attorney and law firm clients, and wish everyone smooth sailing during the second half of 2019!