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In a move likened to the fusion of two legal titans, Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft have unveiled plans to combine forces in what would become the largest law firm merger ever, according to a joint statement from the firms.

If approved, the deal would give birth to a new global powerhouse, Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, stitching together practices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region—an almost sun-never-sets footprint in the legal world.

A Colossus by the Numbers

Should the merger close, the combined firm would rank as the world’s fifth-largest law firm, employing roughly 3,100 lawyers worldwide and generating more than $3.6 billion in annual revenue, the firms said.

The tie-up is expected to supercharge Hogan Lovells’ already-strong transatlantic finance practice, while providing Cadwalader with a far broader international platform anchored in regulatory depth and industry-focused expertise.

Leadership Blueprint for the New Firm

Under the proposed structure, Miguel Zaldivar, chief executive of Hogan Lovells, would lead the merged organization.

Cadwalader’s co-managing partners, Pat Quinn and Wesley Misson, are slated to join the international management committee. Quinn would assume the role of global managing partner for client and practice integration, while Misson would serve as global managing partner for finance, according to the statement.

Two Histories, One Global Future

Founded in 1792 and widely regarded as Wall Street’s oldest law firm, Cadwalader has built its name on bank lending, corporate and mergers and acquisitions, litigation, restructuring, and private wealth work. The firm currently operates three U.S. offices, along with one each in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the firms said.

Hogan Lovells’ Worldwide Reach

Hogan Lovells brings a much wider geographic footprint to the table, with about 2,800 lawyers across 35 offices worldwide. Its Asia-Pacific network spans China, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore, and the firm is known for strengths in regulatory matters, corporate M&A, intellectual property, and litigation.

Expanding the Asia-Pacific Footprint

The Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader Merger is expected to significantly deepen capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. The combined firm would offer clients access to more than 140 APAC-based lawyers, covering corporate and finance work, compliance and investigations, technology, media and telecommunications, intellectual property, life sciences, data protection, and international trade.

What Comes Next

The proposed merger remains subject to customary closing conditions, including partner approval votes at both firms. Those votes are expected to take place in 2026, according to the statement.

If the deal clears those hurdles, the legal industry could soon witness a reshaped skyline—one where two storied names merge into a single, global legal force.