International law firms Hogan & Hartson LLP and Lovells LLP have jointly announced that their respective partnerships have approved the merger of their firms. The combination will be known as Hogan Lovells, effective 1 May 2010.

Hogan Lovells will have total revenues of approximately US$ 1.8bn and 2,500 lawyers in more than 40 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The proposed combination, which is the first transatlantic "merger of equals" in the legal sector, is seen by both firms as a progressive response to the increasing need by large multinational clients for high quality legal advice on complex, cross-border transactions, disputes and commercial matters.

The proposed combination also reflects the increased emphasis on regulation in the global market place and the complex legal issues involved, in the US and European Union markets particularly but also in other markets such as China. The new Hogan Lovells will be jointly led by current Hogan & Hartson Chairman, Warren Gorrell, and Lovells Managing Partner, David Harris, as Co-CEOs.

Hogan Lovells will be an international legal practice represented in all the major legal markets of the world and is expected to comprise Hogan Lovells US LLP, Hogan Lovells International LLP, a Swiss Verein, and their affiliated businesses.

According to David Harris: "Hogan Lovells presents a compelling proposition to our clients and to the market more generally. The new firm will have unrivalled global capability and distinctive strengths in dispute resolution, regulatory, antitrust, corporate, finance, intellectual property and real estate. It will also provide clients with access to considerable industry knowledge and resource in key sectors, including energy, financial services, telecommunications, media and technology, life sciences and pharmaceutical, consumer goods, real estate, natural resources and infrastructure."

"Hogan Lovells will have a global presence with high quality practices and geographic depth unmatched in the market, including in the world’s major business and financial centres. At the same time, each firm will preserve its shared cultural and core values — collegiality, teamwork, and worldwide leadership in community service,” said Warren Gorrell.