Law firm mergers pick up steam

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By Sara Merken

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REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Global law firm Hogan Lovells and New York-based Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft have agreed to merge, creating a combined group with 3,100 lawyers and $3.6 billion in annual revenue.

The merger will bring together Hogan Lovells' international business and finance clientele with that of Wall Street's oldest law firm, they said. The proposed transaction is subject to a partnership vote, set to be held in 2026.

The firms said the deal, which follows a string of major transatlantic and U.S. law firm tie-ups, would create the world's fifth largest law firm by revenue.

This week alone, Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing said they expect to combine in May, and Spencer Fane said it will enter New York through a combination with Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe in February. Ashurst and Perkins Coie said last month that they plan to merge in the third quarter of next year.

Read more about the deal to create Hogan Lovells Cadwalader.

REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr moved to cut access to gender-affirming care for children, proposing rules that would bar hospitals that deliver such care from Medicare and Medicaid programs and also prohibit Medicaid and children's health programs from paying for it.

Ahmed Aboulenein has more about the proposal here.

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sara.merken@thomsonreuters.com

@saramerken

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