US firms consider merger: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

US-based law firms Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe are in merger talks, according to representatives from both firms. A deal between the firms would result in a combined firm with a headcount of over 1,800 lawyers in offices across the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The combined firm would be among the 10 most profitable in the US, with over $1.5 billion in gross revenue. Orrick considered merging with New York-based Dewey Ballantine in 2006, and was most recently in talks with London-based SJ Berwin, but failed to reach agreement with either firm.

US firms consider merger: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe washingtonpost.com Wed, Sep 29, 2010