herbertHerbert Smith’s hopes of securing a merger with its key European ally Gleiss Lutz Hootz Hirsch have been called into question after a senior partner with the leading German firm confirmed that Gleiss Lutz is opposed to further integration.

A senior partner at the Stuttgart-based firm told Legal Week: “We would not have done this alliance if it was to be a merger. The success of the past year does not encourage us to merge.