Transatlantic mergers proved a little like buses last week, with Holman Fenwick Willan and Eversheds both announcing planned combinations with US firms within hours of each other.

Eversheds confirmed it was in talks with Atlanta’s Sutherland Asbill & Brennan about a verein-style combination that could go live as early as late January. Should partners approve the deal later this month, the combined Eversheds Sutherland would have revenue of around £650m.