Weil Gotshal & Manges is closing in on a deal to launch a major local law practice in France, with Paris boutique Serra Leavy & Cazals emerging as a leading merger target for the top 10 US firm.

Weil Gotshal sources indicate that the New York-based firm hopes to secure a deal before the end of 2002, after more than a year of searching for an entry into one of Europe’s premier legal centres.