John MalpasSo, 2003 has kicked off with a transatlantic merger – between corporate boutique Hobson Audley and its long-time US ally Faegre & Benson.

The deal is in the mould of the mergers between Arnander Irvine & Zietman and Shook Hardy & Bacon, Titmuss Sainer Dechert and Dechert Price & Rhoads and Warner Cranston and Reed Smith.