The language in Allen Overy Shearman Sterling’s sales pitch is quite telling.

Whether held by a political institution or a business, a vote is a democratic means for gaining approval for what is, usually, a critical and transformative change in the way that entity operates, and, subsequently, can have a huge impact on voters. But for ‘A&O Shearman’ leaders, this summer’s upcoming partnership merger vote is little more than “customary”, as they put it. Par for the course.