Something is happening with Shearman Sterling

Last December, we wrote (about how Shearman Sterling (850 rowers) and Hogan Lovells (2,600 rowers) denied rumors about their union. It could have been a giant deal, and the combined company would have become one of the top 5 companies in the world by turnover.

By the way, for this Reuters material, they commented that they really had negotiations, so the rumors were confirmed.

At the end of March, Bloomberg published data on last year’s turnover of law firms, and Sherman’s was down 10%.

And on Monday, Law.com posted that the Munich office of the Shermans was transferred to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius—moreover, literally the whole office, that is, including the physical one. However, the office is the tiniest, with only 19 lawyers + administrative staff.

“Because we’re taking the entire team of Shearman personnel in Munich and all their business, we are required by law to transition everyone at the same time,” said Steve Wall, managing partner of Morgan Lewis. “After conversations with Shearman & Sterling, we determined March 31 would be their last day at Shearman and April 1 would be their first day at Morgan Lewis.” — wrote Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in their press release.

✍️ Dima Gadomsky