Lawrence Graham seeks to rebuild European ties
Lawrence Graham seeks to rebuild European ties" />
Lawrence Graham has started to rebuild its presence in Europe by forming links with independent law firms after its original European network disbanded earlier this year.
The firm has built up relationships with two or three firms in each major European jurisdiction, including France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
Bill Richards, senior partner at Lawrence Graham, told The Lawyer: "The corporate and real estate groups have been working to see if we can establish relationships with a small number of independent firms that can deliver."
Although corporate and real estate is leading the drive, headed by Christopher Tite and Stephen Stephens respectively, the firm will publish a booklet of the relationship firms for other partners in Lawrence Graham to use.
Richards said a European strategy was important, but areas such as India and Australia were just as crucial. "We don't see Europe in the same way as other firms. We're interested, but we have lots of other things on the go," he said.
The firm is still working with old ally Esche Schümann Commichau in Germany, but is also using two other firms for specialised work. Richards said he could not name the new firms he was working with as they would not appreciate being mentioned working in conjunction with a single UK firm.
European firms involved in the original network included Alzaga Caro Maranon Sanchez-Teran & Asociados in Spain, Esche Schümann, French firm Lafarge Flecheux Revus, Italian firm Puopolo Sistilli Geffers & Luise and Verhaegen Walravens in Belgium.
Lawrence Graham established the Lawrence Graham International network in the late 1980s and disbanded it in January this year, saying it had since moved on from the original relationships.
