Clyde & Co: today BLG, tomorrow the world
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Merged firm plots moves in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Singapore and the US
Michael Payton
Clyde & Co is to ratchet up its international growth strategy after its merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG), with planned launches in Zimbabwe and the domestic Singaporean market as well as expansion in Brazil and the US.
In Africa, Clydes has a joint venture with Tanzanian firm AKO Law that it inherited from its merger with Shadbolt & Co in 2010.
Senior partner Michael Payton said Clydes wanted to make a long-term commitment to the continent and is in talks to launch a best friends relationship with a Zimbabwe-based firm.
“One of our lawyers had some business with a prestigious firm in Harare and they started talking about the future,” he said. “Potentially, it’s a wealthy country and this is one place where we’re happy to be ahead of the crowd.
“We’re placing our faith in the future of Zimbabwe and want to make a long-term commitment.”
In Singapore, Clydes has agreed an association with local firm Clasis LLC, which is a separate entity to Clydes’ Indian best friend Clasis Law.
Clydes managing director for Asia Michael Parker said: “This association with Clasis LLC is a significant development in the firm’s regional offering as it allows us to offer our clients, through Clasis LLC, advice on matters in Singapore.”
Clydes is also investigating onshore opportunities in Brazil and more office openings in the US, although details are yet to be finalised.
“We’re looking hard at South America,” said Payton, adding that the pending merger between Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper would give the resultant competitor firm “real firepower in the region”, prompting Clydes’ move.
On the expansion of its US network, where Clydes has three bases, Payton said: “There’s more to come from us in the US; there’s much more low-hanging fruit we can pick.
he firm has developed in different ways in the US and we expect that to continue.”
In the past 24 months Clydes has opened offices in Canada through a merger with Nicholl Paskell-Mede, replaced ALMT with Clasis Law as its best friend firm in India, added an office in New Jersey and completed a merger with construction boutique Shadbolt.
Readers' comments (7)
Anon | 24-Oct-2011 1:22 pm
They don't really have an option - it is a case of expand and globalise or die.
In the no so distant future the legal market will be dominated by a few global firms. To thrive a corporate firm needs to either position itself to be one/part of one of those, or to be a highly specialist boutique.
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Brompton Toad | 27-Oct-2011 2:20 pm
Zimbabwe. That'll be a popular gig. Trainees will be beating down the door for that covted Harare posting. Bet Payten won't be relocating any time soon; although there might be a few candidates come next week
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Anon | 29-Oct-2011 6:21 pm
Don't see how they could do business in Zimbabwe without sucking up to / paying off the regime. Nasty.
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Caroline Stewart | 2-Nov-2011 3:08 pm
Zinbabwe? Interesting moral judgement if they're thinking of opening up there. Altho I am sure it won't be the first time a law firm has given someone they shouldn't an envelope full of cash....
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Mo | 2-Nov-2011 3:09 pm
Great news for Clyde & Co, very pleased for them. I am sure the labour law in Zimbabwe is even more flexible than those in their other outposts....the UAE being a good example
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Anonymous | 2-Nov-2011 3:11 pm
Those sent to Harare will probably be even more demoralised than those in the Middle East offices at the moment
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Anonymous | 3-May-2012 9:24 am
Moral judgment? Envelopes of cash? Paying the regime? with one Bribery Act whistleblowing claim against Clyde already this is starting to feel like a trend....
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