Trans-Atlantic tie-ups have become a current fad in the international legal industry. Following the Hogan Lovells merger and the SNR Denton combination, UK firm Simmons & Simmons and its US counterpart Mayer Brown (known as Mayer Brown JSM in Asia) are also seeking a possible tie-up. The two firms have reportedly initiated preliminary discussions on the matter.

If the union goes ahead, the combined firm would have over 300 legal professionals including 80 partners in China, working across four offices – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. It may take over Baker & McKenzie to become the largest international firm in the country.

Simmons has recently hired partner Davis Wang from King & Wood and is in the process of establishing an office in Beijing. Mayer Brown's merger with Hong Kong firm Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) in January 2008 has significantly expanded its presences in China, adding three new offices to its China practice, which previously only had one Hong Kong office. ALB

Related stories:

• Simmons & Simmons hires King & Wood partner for Beijing opening (18 June 2010)
• Watch out Hogan Lovells: new trans-Atlantic merger to proceed (10 June 2010)
• Hong Kong's JSM to merge with Mayer Brown (14 January 2008)