Sullivan & Cromwell, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Reed Smith have bagged the lead roles on the latest multibillion-dollar merger in the US banking sector as the Bank of New York acquires Mellon Financial for $17.6bn (£8.9bn). Sullivan is representing the buyer, with chairman Rodgin Cohen and corporate partner Mitchell Eitel jointly spearheading the team. Simpson Thacher and Reed Smith are advising Pittsburgh-based asset management giant Mellon.

Legalweek.com (5 December).