Word reaches Obiter from DLA's HQ in the City that the firm's unofficial merger talks with US firm Piper Rudnick apparently operate under the codename Project Springsteen. At this stage it is hard to tell whether the cosying up will be a case of you can look (but you better not touch) and if the two firms will eventually be able to say more than 'I've got a crush on you'. Will they be able to develop the ties that bind and say 'I wanna marry you' or 'Let's be friends (skin to skin)'? Can Nigel 'the Boss' Knowles, a local hero from Sheffield with his hungry heart and reading from his book of dreams, take the firm to paradise, the promised land and even glory days with those born in the USA? Are DLA and Piper Rudnick ready for a roll of the dice, a leap of faith? Will partners have reason to believe or stay worlds apart? Or are they heading into the fire? Will it all end up as a wreck on the highway? Will Mr Knowles have to admit - unlikely as it may seem - that 'my best was never good enough'? It may be that it is the price you pay for wanting to take one step up and challenge the likes of Clifford Chance. (That's more than enough Bruce - Ed.)