CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang eyes US merger

Avatar photo

By Thomas Connelly on

The firm’s name could be about to get even longer

cms

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang is eyeing up US outfit Hunton & Williams if the latest merger gossip is to be believed.

Earlier this month CMS Cameron McKenna revealed it had struck a deal with City duo Nabarro and Olswang to create a new global mega firm. With lawyers from all three sides still thrashing out the finer details, reports this morning suggest the newly-formed outfit is already sizing up its next potential tie-up. And this time it’s in the US.

According to The Lawyer (£), CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (or CMS for short) is in “late-stage merger talks” with Virginia-headquartered outfit Hunton & Williams.

The US firm — which has around 19 offices across the globe — covers a plethora of practice areas and is currently headed up by the superbly named Wally Martinez, who is the firm’s managing partner. Hunton & Williams does have a small London outpost which is situated within the iconic Gherkin building.

With details still thin on the ground, the report suggests the deal with Nabarro and Olswang — which will not be finalised until 1 May 2017 — was a “precursor” to a potential transatlantic tie-up.

A source close to the merger discussions claims that one of the current sticking points is the name. Hunton & Williams are keen to see theirs remain how it is, without the addition of CMS. This is a shame really, because CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang Hutton & Williams has a nice ring to it.