Merger talks between Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis and Texas firm Hughes & Luce have reached an advanced stage, it was announced yesterday (26 July), with a deal now set to be concluded by the end of the year.

Discussions began in the spring and, if successful, could lead to formal proposals being presented to the respective partnerships in the autumn. The combined firm would boast over 1,500 lawyers in 24 offices in the US, Europe and Asia.