Field Fisher Waterhouse unveils major international expansion in key European centres

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP announces today its new strategy for European growth.  The firm will launch two new branded offices in Germany and Belgium; is in significant discussions with Dubarry in Paris about a merger; and will enter into an exclusive relationship with Jiménez de Parga in Spain.  These developments supersede the successful European Legal Alliance, and represent further progress towards a more integrated client service across the core European business centres.

The specific developments are as follows:

Germany. Four partners from the Hamburg office of Field Fisher Waterhouse's historic Alliance partner Buse Heberer Fromm will open the German office of Field Fisher Waterhouse at brand new premises in the Hafencity. The initial focus will be on the growth areas of corporate and IP. The team is led by international partner of Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP London, Frank Moerchen, a well known corporate finance expert. The partners at launch are Michael Adam and Thomas Demmel (both corporate) and Philipp Plog (IP).

Belgium.  Three partners - Eric Cusas (commercial and insolvency), Emmanuel Roger France (technology and corporate fraud) and Pierre Frühling (EU and competition) - have set up a new Field Fisher Waterhouse office in Brussels. The three partners leave Field Fisher Waterhouse’s former Alliance partner Verhaegen Walravens to set up the new office.  The office will be managed by Eric Cusas.

France. Field Fisher Waterhouse is in discussions about a potential merger with its historic European Legal Alliance partner Dubarry in Paris. Should the merger go ahead, the combined firm will operate out of Dubarry’s existing offices.

Spain. Building on the platform created by the European Legal Alliance, the firm will enter into an exclusive relationship with Jiménez de Parga in Spain. The firm will remain independent and will retain its original firm name domestically, though with the suffix ‘in association with Field Fisher Waterhouse’, but will market as part of Field Fisher Waterhouse outside of Spain.

Italy. Field Fisher Waterhouse is currently in discussions with its former Alliance partner, La Scala, regarding having closer links with that firm in the near future.

Anew European Field Fisher Waterhouse board, chaired by Mark Abell, will be created comprising five partners based in London (Mark Abell, Managing Partner Moira Gilmour, Paul McNeil, Germany liaison partner Babette Marzheuser-Wood and France and Belgium liaison partner Marie-Caroline Frochot); and partners in Brussels (Eric Cusas), Hamburg (Frank Moerchen), and should the merger go ahead, Paris.  The existing Field Fisher Waterhouse business board remains unchanged and operational.

The financial performance of the two new offices in Brussels and Hamburg will be reflected in Field Fisher Waterhouse’s annual results, commencing in financial year 2007-8 as will that of Paris, should the discussions be successful. Each office’s turnovers, costs and profits will be incorporated into the firm’s annual figures. Jiménez de Parga will continue to have financial independence from Field Fisher Waterhouse.

Moira Gilmour said: “We can now deliver to our clients a fully integrated European operation, building on the success of the European Legal Alliance.  This is the logical next step for Field Fisher Waterhouse and we are putting in place solid foundations for accelerated growth in Germany and Belgium. We also have an exciting opportunity to fully establish our presence in Spain in partnership with Jiménez de Parga, a strong brand there.”

Mark Abell said: “The European Legal Alliance was a great success and provided us with the perfect platform to establish Field Fisher Waterhouse as a strong European brand, which now offers our current and future clients a genuine alternative to the large international firms. We now have a much higher level of integration and communication and our presence in each country will be built on the strength of local lawyers and their reputation.  We believe that all these combined elements present a  hugely attractive offering for our clients and for lawyers who wish to practice in an exciting European business.”

“We will also maintain our existing good relationships with our former Alliance partners Harper Macleod in Scotland and Beauchamps in Ireland; and former affiliates Havel & Holásek in the Czech Republic, Bogsch & Partners in Hungary and Laszczuk & Wspolnicy in Poland.  We expect to continue to refer work to these firms and receive instructions from them.

For further press information, please contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Executive, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on +44 (0)20 7861 4120

Notes to editors:  The European Legal Alliance has been brought to an end by unanimous agreement of its members with effect from 31 March 2007.  All members wish each other every success for the future.