Eversheds contemplates merger with US firm Sutherland

International law firm Eversheds is considering a merger with US firm Sutherland in order to create a new global firm called Eversheds Sutherland.

A proposal has been presented to the firms’ partners ahead of a formal vote later this year.

Across Eversheds and Sutherland, there are more than 2,300 lawyers with a global footprint spanning 61 offices in 29 countries, including the UK and Ireland.

Bryan Hughes, chief executive of Eversheds, said: “Eversheds has an exceptionally strong reputation for international client service and our strategic ambition is to provide a high quality offering and a single legal solution to clients wherever they are required globally. Joining forces with Sutherland will give each firm’s clients a global platform and we will be discussing the proposal with our Partners positively in the coming weeks.”

Mark Wasserman, managing partner of Sutherland, added: “As our clients continue to pursue many of the most important and complex business opportunities around the world, our attorneys continue to seek ways to enhance the firm’s long standing tradition of providing clients with the highest quality service and innovative solutions.

“We look forward to discussions over the next few weeks about the opportunities this transaction will bring to our clients.”