Font Size: 
Bryan Cave Launches Chinese Alliance With Local Firm Alpha & Leader
Move gives the firm, which already has offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, its first local-law capability in the region
Legal Week
December 11, 2007
Bryan Cave has brokered an exclusive alliance with Chinese firm Alpha & Leader as the American firm looks to boost its presence in the Far East.
The tie-up was announced Monday and pairs Bryan Cave with a 100-lawyer firm with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.
The tie-up gives 900-lawyer Bryan Cave -- which already has offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai practicing U.S. law -- its first local-law capability in the region.
Under the terms of the exclusive referral arrangement, designated lawyers from Alpha -- which focuses on corporate and finance work -- and Bryan Cave will switch between each other's offices under an exchange program.
Bryan Cave Chairman Don Lents said in a statement: "A broader footprint in China is increasingly important in today's business environment. Alpha... is well positioned to provide a local-law complement to our international practice in China and around the world."
The move follows a considerable push this year by the firm to widen its international footprint. In June, the firm launched in Hamburg after hiring a four-lawyer team from local practice Buse Heberer Fromm, which was formerly part of Field Fisher Waterhouse's European Legal Alliance.
France, Belgium and Spain are also targeted for office launches, while the firm made its debut in Italy earlier this year with the hire of a four-partner Milan team from rival U.S. firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
