Miller RosenfalckWith a focus on English, French, German and ­Scandinavian law, Miller Rosenfalck is attempting to forge an identity by building a bridge from the UK to the Continent. The firm started life in 2002 when Osborne Clarke lawyers Stuart Miller and Steen Rosenfalck believed there was a market for advising on more than one legal system under the same roof.

Miller’s German experience (from Osborne Clarke’s Frankfurt office) and Danish-trained ­Rosenfalck saw a European meeting of minds, from which grew a law firm of self-confessed “Euro-trash” lawyers looking to capitalise on cross-border deals in the EU. “Many firms that call themselves full service are simply trying to export English law to another region without taking advantage of an international legal system,” explains Rosenfalck, the firm’s ­managing partner. “We’re competing in a different market.”

A multitude of languages can be heard at the firm’s Clerkenwell office, including four native French speakers, who highlight the main thrust of the instructions. But why stop there when there is a whole Continent to explore? “We want to act for more British-based exporters and keep our ­uniqueness with overseas clients,” says Rosenfalck. “We’ve realised there are plenty of opportunities.”

The firm’s strategy is to have 40 fee-earners in three years. Rosenfalck nevertheless argues that the growth is dependent on the quality of the firm’s work. ­Interestingly, Miller Rosenfalck has a neat fashion practice that Rosenfalck hopes to grow. Elsewhere the firm is looking for teams to grow its insolvency, corporate, specialist IT and IP practices. “It makes sense for us to get some sector ­recognition with our fashion ­practice,” says ­Rosenfalck. “That’s the ­problem when you’re a new firm – you don’t have the historical recognition. We need to build that.”

With the firm’s Warwick Legal International ­Network throwing up instructions as far afield as Slovakia and a relationship with India’s FoxMandel Little, Miller Rosenfalck has more global ambitions.

Firm: Miller Rosenfalck
Managing partner: Steen Rosenfalck
Turnover: £1.2m
Number of partners: Five
Number of equity partners: Five
Number of lawyers: Nine
Number of fee-earners: 13
Number of offices: One
Location: London
Main practice areas: Corporate and commercial, employment, dispute resolution, restructuring, ICT and fashion
Clients: Bupa, Dako, IPC International, ProTech ­Windows, Unique Technology Sybase