Texas firm Locke Lord and Boston's Edward Wildman jointly announced the talks in a statement. The combined firm would have over 1000 lawyers in 23 cities around the world. Edwards Wildman has had a particularly challenging year with lay-offs, declining revenues and partner defections. It suffered a 9 per cent decline in revenues in 2013, with a turnover of $311.5 million. Locke Lord also suffered a fall in revenue by just over three per cent, with revenues at $415 million.

Combined practices

The firms have a number of similar practices and geographical overlap. Locke Lord's top practices include energy, insurance and litigation whilst Edward Wildeman is also known for insurance and litigation as well as intellectual property. Meanwhile, both firms have offices in Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC. There have been questions over the future of the London office of Edward Wildman for months with speculation that Cooley was talking to some lawyers at the firm. 

Leadership

Locke Lord Chair Jerry Clements would be Chair of the new firm whilst Edwards Wilman managing partner Alan Levin would be one of the  Vice Chairs.