DLA Piper set for Paris expansion with local merger
DLA Piper is preparing to merge with a corporate boutique in Paris in a bid to grow its presence in the French capital.
The firm is understood to be in advanced discussions with Frieh Bouhenic, a 26-lawyer boutique established in January last year by ex-Linklaters rainmaker Michel Frieh and Pierre-Alain Bouhenic, formerly of Weil Gotshal & Manges.
The merger, set to complete in September, would signficantly boost DLA Piper’s corporate capabilities in Paris. The firm has a large office in France led by Jean-Philippe Sorba, but lacks star corporate names.
Frieh left Linklaters in 2007 (13 April 2007) after three years at the magic circle firm, and established Frieh & Associés. Last year he chose to merge the firm with Bouhenic’s outfit to bolster the capacity of both (17 January 2011). Before joining Linklaters in 2004 he was a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher in Paris.
Frieh Bouhenic currently has 11 partners and 15 associates, many of whom have previous experience at top-tier UK and US firms in France.
A spokesperson for DLA Piper said: “We’re exploring a specific opportunity with a Paris-based law firm to improve our capability in what is a key market for our clients.”
Frieh was unavailable for comment.
Readers' comments (1)
Anon | 27-Aug-2012 12:50 pm
Nice bolt-on deal.
What DLA Piper really needs in Europe is a merger in London though, for a firm of its size it is grossly underweight in the financial centre of the continent.
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