Top 50 US firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham has voted in favour of merging with domestic rival Preston Gates & Ellis, in a move that will create a 1,400-lawyer giant from 1 January, 2007.

The combined firm, which is to be known as Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis, will have total revenues of around $750m (£382m) and 21 offices worldwide.