DLA Phillips Fox Goes Global Today

DLA PHILLIPS FOX MEDIA RELEASE

Embargoed until 20 November 2006

DLA Phillips Fox Goes Global Today

The first exclusive global alliance between an established New Zealand and Australian law firm with a global partner takes effect today. This unique Australasian success story sees leading commercial law firm Phillips Fox officially becoming a member of the global DLA Piper Group under the name DLA Phillips Fox, effective immediately.

The firm first announced its intention to enter into the alliance with DLA Piper, one of the largest legal services organisations in the world, in June. Today DLA Phillips Fox unveils its new name, as well as its new global service to clients in New Zealand and Australia.

'This is an important milestone for us. It is the culmination of a five-year relationship with DLA Piper and the realisation of our international business strategy,' said DLA Phillips Fox Chairman and Wellington partner, John Strahl. 'We are a trans-Tasman firm which has embraced globalisation and positioned ourselves for significant growth. Many of our clients have legal needs in other countries and they can now work with a firm they know and trust, without spending time and money sourcing offshore expertise. The same is true of the many DLA Piper clients who have legal requirements in this region. We expect to increase our revenue by more than 20% in the medium term as a direct result of our alliance with DLA Piper.'

'Our name change shows we believe in the strength of the DLA Piper brand and our commitment to the alliance,' said Mr Strahl. ‘The DLA Piper brand immediately makes us a strong alternative for international companies seeking a full-service firm in New Zealand and Australia. DLA Piper has more than 400 clients, including many household names, with operations here. We can now provide these clients with the same level of service they receive throughout the world from DLA Piper. We expect overseas demand for our services to be strongest in Asia, the Middle East and the United States.'

DLA Piper Group is an alliance of independent law firms with exclusive agreements with DLA Piper. Following the agreement with DLA Phillips Fox the alliance now has seven members. DLA Piper has a substantial global presence with more than 3,200 lawyers, across 62 offices in 24 countries. DLA Phillips Fox now extends that reach into New

Zealand and Australia. DLA Piper acts for over 140 of the top 250 clients in the Fortune 500 companies and nearly half of the FTSE 350 or their subsidiaries.

DLA Piper Joint CEO Nigel Knowles said that the firm is grounded in the collective strength of its network of domestic offices, enabling it to support clients locally and internationally. 'DLA Piper wants to support clients wherever their business takes them. That means we are open to developing new alliances with quality law firms like DLA Phillips Fox,' said Mr Knowles.

Mr Knowles cites DLA Phillips Fox’s focus on growth in the corporate and commercial area and its full strength capabilities, which would develop strong multi-jurisdictional depth and knowledge through the alliance. 'DLA Phillips Fox has a rounded, stable practice of annuity clients as a result of its focus on client relationships. We share similar corporate values, cultures and aspirations, as well as the goal to be market leaders in client relationship management,' said Mr Knowles.

Mr Strahl said that DLA Phillips Fox now has the ability to provide seamless global legal service, while delivering best-value local service based on close working relationships with its clients.

-Ends-

© Scoop Media