CCR&W in West Coast office plan

Clifford Chance Rogers & Wells (CCR&W), the US branch of the new global law firm, is planning to open in Silicon Valley - its first US office outside New York.

Larry Cranch, managing partner of Rogers & Wells, says that the firm intends to have a presence on the West Coast, most likely to be in Silicon Valley. He says: "Given the importance of the area in terms of high-tech companies and our IP practice, we need to be there.

"If you look at the US economy and look five years down the road, so much activity relates to high-tech computer and biotechnology companies. Some of our large clients, like Genetec, are there already."

CCR&W would be following a host of other New York firms that have recently moved into Silicon Valley in, including Shearman & Sterling, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Davis Polk & Wardwell.