Lovells eyes transatlantic merger with US firm Hogan & Hartson
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Lovells is in merger talks with US firm Hogan & Hartson with the aim of creating a transatlantic player with a combined turnover of £1.1bn.
It is understood that on the Lovells side the talks are being led by managing partner David Harris, senior partner John Young and litigation head Patrick Sherrington, although the firm’s international executive is also involved.
On the Hogan side chairman Warren Gorrell and finance managing partner Prentiss Feagles are leading negotiations.
It is understood that Sherrington, who has played a significant role in negotiations, has a particularly strong relationship with Hogan partner Ray Batla. Sherrington is currently chair of the Pacific Rim Advisory Council, of which Lovells is the Hong Kong member, while Batla is vice chair.
Batla, who divides his time between Hogan’s Washington and London offices is a senior figure at the US firm, having previously served on the firm’s executive committee and held the position of international managing partner.
While talks are understood to be at an early stage, both firms will present the idea of a merger to their respective partnerships at meetings later this year. It is expected that Hogan’s negotiation team will attend Lovells’ meeting and vice-versa.
If both partnerships support the plan it is anticipated that the merger would go ahead before the end of Lovells’ financial year next April.
Neither firm would confirm the talks. In a statement Lovells said: “In the US, we have to date been focused on providing a clearly defined range of services that reflect our international strengths and it’s no secret that any significant expansion beyond that would require a major strategic move.
“We review our US strategy on a regular basis and we have recently been taking a closer look at market developments and the opportunities that we believe are available to us.”
A statement from Hogan said: “It’s well known that we’re committed to providing our clients with the highest quality advice and service on their most important matters globally. Beyond that, we don’t comment one way or the other on particular initiatives unless we have something definitive to report.”
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Readers' comments (18)
Anonymous | 8-Oct-2009 9:27 pm
What's the point of two mediocre firms merging to create a big mediocre firm? Wouldn't it be better for Harris/Young to try to deliver the promise of a more profitable firm than to go off on this frolic?
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Anonymous | 9-Oct-2009 7:52 am
It won't work because the Lovells partners (who matter) will not want to give up their much prized culture (of not having to do too much for a relatively good level of income). This is just an attempt by Harris to show that he's trying to deliver on his promise (made during the election fight with Herr Seisler) that he would find the perefect US merger partner during his second term. He should keep looking.
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Anonymous | 9-Oct-2009 8:54 am
Would Seisler have led the firm into this deal? The German part of the firm are in a better space than the UK side, this is is obviously being led from London.
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Anonymous | 9-Oct-2009 9:32 am
Any merger will require a massive change of culture at both firms, but Harris might just be able to pull this one off. If so, other players at the top of the litigation table be warned. This will definitely give CC's Jeremy Sandelson some food for thought....
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Immaculate pasta | 9-Oct-2009 9:35 am
What would this firm be called?
Lovells & Hogan? LHH?
Hogan Love?
The possibilities are (almost) endless.
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Anonymous | 9-Oct-2009 10:15 am
Hulk Hogan Love LLP?
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Stringer Bell | 9-Oct-2009 10:24 am
The comments from the two anonymous correspondents ref Seisler are such rubbish - they seem to be living in some form of misinformed delusionist past.
From a German perspective the idea of merging with a US firm that could provide a strong cross flow of referral work between two major economies would be highly attractive. If you engage your brain and spend more that 30 seconds thinking about what Lovells seems to be up to then it makes a lot of sense.
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marjorie | 9-Oct-2009 10:40 am
this could be a great move. neither firm is particularly spectacular ie sullivan or slaughters won't be quaking in their boots but the market has been waiting for a major transatlantic merger and this could relly shake things up. will be interesting to see how they actually do it - this things are notoriously difficult etc etc. interesting that the two firms are similar size - no obvious dominant force so who will run management?
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Anonymous | 9-Oct-2009 11:43 am
How about Loveharts and Hugs?
Or HH LLL P?
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Anonymous | 9-Oct-2009 11:50 am
I wonder what John Pheasant things of it all?
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