Simmons & Simmons has informed its partners that it is discussing a merger with Mayer Brown. Senior partner David Dickinson confirmed the talks Thursday night in an e-mail to the partnership, saying the two firms are in “preliminary discussions” about a merger.

Eight months ago, Simpson Thacher partner Philip Culhane was hoping there was some way he could resolve a deeply troubling and traumatic matter without going to court. The football coach at his Brooklyn prep school had sexually abused Culhane when he was in 5th grade, plunging him into a nearly 20-year battle with depression.

British law firms Halliwells and Manches have held a series of merger discussions, with partners in both firms confirming the talks after months of speculation. Meetings have been held during the past several months, with discussions now thought to have reached due diligence stage. It is understood that no decision has been made yet about whether the union will go ahead and, while some partners within the firms know of the talks, no formal announcements have been made to the partnerships at either firm.