Firms' Leeds offices embark on international charm offensive

Leeds lawyers are conducting a tour of EU business capitals in an attempt to drum up work.

A 10-strong team from city legal marketing initiative Leeds Legal held two briefings for Belgian business representatives at the British Embassy in Brussels on Wednesday (7 June) and is planning similar events at the British embassies in Barcelona, Düsseldorf, Milan and Paris over the next 12 months.

Lawyers will meet business representatives ranging from global corporations through to owner-managers. Leeds Legal says it will pitch Leeds firms on the basis of their "no-nonsense advice" and "world-class expertise".

The organisation will follow the European offensive with a push on other markets, which is scheduled to take two years.

In an attempt to strengthen business ties with China, Leeds Legal also recently hosted government officials from Leeds' 'sister city' Hangzou, and will make a return visit in October.

The two cities are also in discussions to create a 'virtual courtroom,' using video technology to allow legal disputes to take place remotely from courtrooms in both cities.

Supported by the Leeds Law Society and the Law Society of England and Wales, Leeds Legal is spearheaded by Leeds firm Lupton Fawcett and the Leeds offices of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and Pinsent Masons.