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SJ Berwin and Mayer Brown in talks over £900m tie-up

SJ Berwin partners would be foolish to vote in favour of such a merger. SJB has spent years building one of the cities finest legal practices. If such a merger with MB were to go through they'd be certain to loose vast control over their London prescence to their U.S partners. The chicago office of Mayer Brown is renowned for its tight inner circle that presides over the firms global strategy by mitigating other offices autonomy. Establishing a U.S. presence is absoltely vital for SJB in the coming years if it's to become a global legal player but not if this means the loss of autonomy over a practice the firm has so carefully built. SJB should be careful not to repeat the mistakes of Rowe and Maw.

23-May-2012

1:36 pm