Partners at Reed Smith and Richards Butler have voted in favour of a merger by an “overwhelming” majority.
The vote paves the way for the integration of the two practices into a new top 20 firm, which will be known as Reed Smith, from January 2007.
In the new 300-strong London team, more than 100 lawyers will focus upon corporate and finance transactions, with the real estate group holding around 50 lawyers.
Greg Jordan, Reed Smith’s managing partner said: “The merger makes London our largest office and results in more than 20% of the firm’s total business being conducted in Europe.”
The merger does not involve Richards Butler Hong Kong, with whom discussions are ongoing.
References: EGi Legal News 15/06/06
