Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has begun merger talks with Paris’ Moquet Borde & Associes as the West Coast giant begins a search for a heavyweight launch in the French legal market.

The 750-lawyer firm has been engaged in talks with 60-lawyer Moquet Borde for two months. A deal would be a major step forward for the US firm’s European practice, which is currently restricted to a 12-lawyer London arm.