Nabarros finalises Brussels presence

NABARRO Nathanson has formally established its Brussels presence, signing New Zealand lawyer Rachel Bickler to operate from the

Belgian capital.

UK-trained Bickler, brought on board as a senior assistant from the Paris office of international economic body OECD (former Organisation for European Economic Development), is sharing an office with Nabarros' US associates Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

Working as part of the London-based EU and competition unit, Bickler's role is to form contacts in the European Commission and other institutions and to build on the firm's UK, US and continental client base.

Head of the unit Cyrus Mehta, who will supervise the office from London, says the bulk of the firm's EU and competition work will continue to be handled by the six-lawyer London team.

"We've managed to develop that area quite successfully without having a Brussels office. But I think we've reached the stage now where one does need a Brussels

office as an international firm," he says.

"I think there's a strong perception that you need to be in Brussels if you're going to be doing EU and international work. There is clearly a benefit in being there; you're close to the centre of law making and you're close to the Commission."