Tie-up occurs after August & Debouzy quit network in March
French law firm Lefèvre Pelletier & associés will join Nabarro’s international alliance following the exit of former French member August & Debouzy in March this year.
Currently comprised of Nabarro, GSK Stockmann + Kollegen (Germany), Nunziante Magrone (Italy) and Roca Junyent (Spain), the addition of 130-lawyer Lefèvre Pelletier provides the alliance with an additional presence in North Africa through its offices in Algiers and Casablanca, replacing August’s Moroccan presence, and strengthening its offering in China with offices in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
The new alliance of firms will comprise over 980 lawyers based in 31 offices across ten jurisdictions, including Algeria, Morocco, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and China.
‘The Chinese presence was a significant attraction. They have been established there for many years.’
Patricia Godfrey, Nabarro
Nabarro’s head of international Patricia Godfrey was tasked with leading a team from across the alliance earlier this year to find a new French partner, and explore interest from firms in other parts of Europe. After a small shortlist was drafted and met by all the alliance’s members, it was the French firm’s real estate offering that helped it to stand out from the contenders with a record of handling complex deals. Talking to Legal Business at the time, Godfrey said: ‘The Chinese presence was also a significant attraction. [Lefèvre] has been established there for many years and has done a good job of sourcing French inbound work.’
The need to fill a gap in France arose after Paris-headquartered August & Debouzy announced it was departing due to a desire to grow its own network, and develop relationships with other law firms in jurisdictions already covered by alliance members.
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk