After more than two months of official talks, British firm Hammonds and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey have agreed to merge in the latest trans-Atlantic law firm combination. Partners at both firms approved the merger in a vote held over the weekend. The union will take effect on Jan. 1, 2011.
The merger will see Squire Sanders Chairman James Maiwurm become global chair and CEO of the combined firm. Hammonds Managing Partner Peter Crossley will become the firm’s managing partner for Europe. There will be two additional managing partners for the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions. A 13-member global board comprised of partners from both firms and elected by the general partnership will govern the new firm.
