Allen & Overy (A&O) has cemented an alliance with 45-lawyer Portuguese firm Vasconcelos F Sa Carneiro Fontes & Associados (VSCF) as the London giant moves to extend its Iberian coverage.

The two firms have entered into a ‘co-operation agreement’ that will see them pair up for secondments, joint marketing and management initiatives. However, the agreement is not exclusive and is not viewed as a precursor to a merger.