A deal approved Friday to launch Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan into the international arena wasn’t something even contemplated by the firm a year ago, its managing partner said.

But in a vote concluded Friday, partners of Atlanta-based Sutherland and U.K. firm Eversheds agreed to combine, which means Sutherland will now be part of a global, 2,300-lawyer firm to be called Eversheds Sutherland.