Phillips Fox to join DLA Piper's global network

DLA Piper's global network" />Longtime collaborators DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and Australia's Phillips Fox are set to formalise their relationship, with the Australian firm becoming a full member of DLA Group.

DLA Piper is in advanced talks with the Australian firm to form an alliance, as first revealed on www. thelawyer.com (4 May). The two firms already refer work to each other.

DLA Piper joint chief executive Nigel Knowles told The Lawyer: "Phillips Fox has been known to us for a long time and we have a close relationship with them. It's highly likely that we'll convert that into a DLA Group relationship, such as those we have with firms in Egypt and South Africa."

Phillips Fox has 10 offices spread across Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam and is well known domestically for its IP and insurance litigation work. The firm's turnover is approximately A$200m (£83.6m).

Knowles added: "We've looked at all the firms in Australia and we think that Phillips Fox is the one with which we share the same visions and values."

DLA Piper has embarked on a series of alliances over the past year, predominantly with African firms. They include Zambia's Chibesakunda & Co, Matouk Bassiouny in Egypt and South African law firm Cliffe Dekker.

Phillips Fox was unavailable for comment.