Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s short-term hopes of securing a New York merger have taken a knock following a decision by one of its most eligible potential partners – Debevoise & Plimpton – to expand its European practice under its own steam.

At a Debevoise partner meeting in New York last month, the 100-equity partner firm backed a strategy of European growth through lateral hiring – putting the issue of a European merger on the back burner.