According to a joint statement by the two BigLaw practices, more than 99 per cent of votes cast at each firm were in favour of the merger. It will create a practice that boasts almost 4,000 lawyers, with around 800 partners across 48 global offices, with combined revenues of approximately US$3.5 billion.

Announced in late May of this year, the merger will, the two global practices said at the time, create a “firm unlike any other in the world” at a time when client demand for global elite firms “has never been greater”.

The firms are now set to embark on a period of active integration planning while they work together towards the final closing of the transaction, which is anticipated in or before May 2024.

The news also follows A&O’s recording £2.1 billion in revenue for the last financial year, a 7 per cent increase on the previous year.

A&O senior partner Wim Dejonghe said: “This is a historic moment for both firms and our profession.

“We are delighted that our partners have voted so resoundingly in favour of this merger, which is a transformational step for the legal industry.

“We have long admired Shearman & Sterling for its outstanding reputation, talent, and client base, and we are confident that together we will create a truly exceptional global firm that will serve our clients’ needs in an increasingly complex and dynamic world.”

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And Shearman & Sterling senior partner Adam Hakki added: “Our partners have recognised and welcomed this unparalleled opportunity to combine our individual market leadership and brands to serve clients as an integrated global law firm, pre-eminent in all our markets.

“A&O Shearman will be a firm unlike any other in the world, built to achieve exceptional outcomes for our clients through an intentional focus on quality, excellence, and collaboration.

“We are creating a new industry leader with truly global capabilities, and we are excited for what is to come.”