Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Bryan Cave LLP confirm merger talks

LONDON, 18-Oct-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Bryan Cave LLP confirmed today that they are in discussions regarding a combination to form a global and fully integrated law firm with 32 offices in 12 countries and a platform of 1500 lawyers.

Clients would have access to legal advice and solutions across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asian markets, including in many of the world’s leading cities*. The merged firm would offer clients a range of internationally integrated capabilities including: one of the most active global M&A practices**; the world’s leading Real Estate and Hospitality Sector business; one of the largest and best international Financial Services businesses; and a strong international Litigation and Corporate Risk business.

The proposed merger would combine both firms’ internationally recognised leadership in client-focused innovation. Following a combination, clients of both firms would benefit from a wide range of new and innovative service models and products ***.

Commenting on this announcement, Lisa Mayhew, Managing Partner of Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), said: “Our two firms share a strong commitment to innovation in the interests of our clients. We also have an unusually strong cultural fit with a mutual focus on collaboration across our businesses in the interests of deep and lasting client relationships. It is encouraging for the potential firm that BLP and Bryan Cave both have this complementary heritage, but crucially also share the same ambitions for the future.”

Commenting on this announcement, Therese Pritchard, Chair of Bryan Cave LLP, said: “If we combine we will operate without regard to geographic boundaries. Our firm would be one of only a handful of global firms operating in a one-firm structure with more than 500 lawyers in both the US and also internationally. We will seamlessly provide counsel to clients across the globe, deliver client service at a new level and use technology and innovation to redefine efficiency in the practice of law.”

The transaction is not final and is subject to, among other things, the resolution of all conflict issues and approval by partners at both firms later this year.

– ENDS –

NOTES TO EDITORS:

NO FURTHER COMMENT ON THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE MADE UNTIL AFTER THE VOTE (date tbc)

* – Cities in which the new firm would have a presence:

US – Atlanta; Boulder; Charlotte; Chicago; Colorado Springs; Dallas; Denver; Irvine; Kansas City; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Phoenix; San Francisco; St Louis; Washington D.C.

Europe – Berlin; Brussels; Frankfurt; Hamburg; London; Manchester; Paris

CEE – Moscow

Middle East – Abu Dhabi; Dubai; Tel Aviv

Asia – Beijing; Hong Kong; Shanghai; Singapore; Yangon

** – Bryan Cave has a Thomson Reuters “Top 10” US M&A ranking.

*** – Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has been named Law Firm of the Year 8 times since 2004 and, in 2015, was named a top-five ‘legal game changer of the last decade’ by the Financial Times plus came top in the 2017 Legal Business rankings for “Most Innovative Law Firm”.

Bryan Cave has twice been named “Innovative Law Firm of the Year” by the International Legal Technology Association.

SOURCE: Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP

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