Another Rumored Biglaw Merger Falls Apart Before It Begins
(Image via ChatGPT)
Remember when everyone thought that Allen & Overy/Shearman merger was it a once in a lifetime event? It was supposed to be a transatlantic Biglaw merger for the ages, but many law firm executives saw it as an invitation.
Now, we have HSF Kramer, Winston Taylor, Ashurst Perkins CoieAND Hogan Lovells Cadwalader. Absolutely no one wants to miss out on this kind of bonding action, but sometimes, it’s just not meant to be.
On that note, we’ve got news of an alleged law firm romance that reportedly fizzled out pretty quickly. According to TRAFFIC LIGHTSLinklaters tried to lure Cleary Gottlieb into a merger earlier this year, but it seems the UK firm politely declined. Denials quickly followed:
A Linklaters spokesman denied making an approach to Cleary. A spokesman for Cleary said the firm was focused on a “strategically aggressive growth strategy”.
UK edition Unbillable received an even more detailed denial, with a spokesperson for Cleary calling the merger rumors “categorically false.”
Whether this friendship went too far—or ever happened in the first place—may never be known. But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: if you’re a global law firm that hasn’t explored at least one transformative, transatlantic merger, you’re starting to look like the exception rather than the rule.
Exclusive / UK law firm Linklaters sought to join Cleary Gottlieb (traffic light)
Linklaters and Cleary deny reports of a merger approach (Not billable)
Stop Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she has worked since 2011. She would love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any advice, question, comment or criticism. You can follow it Bluesky, X/TwitterAND fibersor connect to it LinkedIn.
