Shearman, Allen & Overy Partners Merger Vote to Begin Next Week

Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling’s proposed merger will head to a partner vote next week.

The firms announced on Monday that the partnership vote to approve the combination between the New York-founded Shearman and UK’s Allen & Overy will start on Sept. 28 and will be completed by Oct. 13. The outcome of the vote will be announced shortly thereafter, the firms said in a joint statement.

“Over the past few months, partners and teams from both firms have been meeting and building relationships, and the excitement about the opportunities for the merged firm is palpable,” Wim Dejonghe, Senior Partner at Allen & Overy said in a statement.

“This response has only strengthened our belief in the transformational nature of this merger,” he said.

Shearman and Allen & Overy announced in May that they plan to combine in a single firm, A&O Shearman. Shearman had previously been in merger talks with Hogan Lovells amid several partner departures.

The new firm would have more than 3,900 lawyers and 800 partners globally across 48 offices and more than $3.4 billion in revenue.

Shearman and Allen & Overy also noted on Monday the completion of several milestones for the transaction, including financial and operational due diligence, the filing of antitrust clearance requests and the completion of approval for required modifications to retirement and pension plans.

“We have made significant progress since announcing the combination, and our clients have expressed enthusiasm for the combination and what A&O Shearman will be able to deliver,” Adam Hakki, Shearman’s senior partner, said in a statement.

“Our partners and colleagues are very supportive and eager to launch the combined firm,” he said.