International firms to merge in April

International firm steps up innovation… International firm steps up innovation…

International firms to merge in April

International firms to merge in April

Two international law firms have voted to merge to form a global brand with revenues of over U$900 million.

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Bryan Cave will combine as Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in April 2018 with an international practice and sector teams in 32 offices across 11 countries – including Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore -  and a platform of approximately 1600 lawyers.

The new combined firm will be led by Co-Chairs Therese Pritchard and Lisa Mayhew.

“Different to most other international firms, ours will be fully financially integrated from Day one,” explains Lisa Mayhew, Managing Partner of BLP. “This will enable us to work in teams whose only focus will be to provide a first class service to clients.”

Open plan move for Singapore alliance

The Singapore alliance of Ince & Co and Incisive Law will move into new open plan offices in the city-state’s Central Business District in May.

Ince has been in Singapore’s Collyer Quay since 1996 but the move to the UIC Building continues the firm’s moves in Hong Kong and Le Harve, which saw teams relocated to the latest office designs and technology.

The Singapore office will create a space to facilitate collaboration and The firm has invested in new technologies including Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablets and the latest generation Wi-Fi with increased capacity and security, which will allow the office to move to an agile working arrangement.

International firm steps up innovation

Nixon Peabody has appointed a partner in its affordable housing practice as its chief innovation officer.

Former computer programmer and startup consultant Aaron Yowell will help progress the firm’s innovations including IDEALab, and he will look into how best to fuel collaboration within the firm and make innovation part of its culture.

Along with nationwide coverage in the US, Nixon Peabody has international offices including Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai and was one of the first major law firms to appoint a chief innovation officer, in 2011.