Mayer Brown announces Asian merger

Established in Hong Kong in 1863, JSM's network of offices includes three in China '“ in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai '“ as well as Bangkok in Thailand, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.

'Our combination is an ideal strategic fit and offers enhanced global service to our multinational clients,' Holzhauer explains. 'JSM is the unquestioned leader among law firms in Asia, and the combination extends our capabilities geographically and broadens our exposure to the fastest growing economies in the world.'

Elaine Lo, chairman of the Asian board, said the combination also benefited from a compatible 'philosophy and culture'. 'Like Mayer Brown, we have a business-minded, results-oriented approach to solving complex legal issues for clients. And we enjoy a diversity of personal histories, cultures and experiences, all of which contribute to the work we do with our clients.'

The merger, effective as of 28 January 2008, adds approximately 260 lawyers to the 1,500 already employed across Mayer Brown's 15 international offices. The firm will be known as Mayer Brown JSM across the Asian office network.

Mayer Brown joins a growing list of firms looking to bolster their presence in China. In September 2007 Lovells announced the launch of a Sino-Global Legal Alliance (SGLA) '“ an alliance of nine independent Chinese firms and Lovells that the firm labelled 'ground-breaking'.

In September 2007 Mayer Brown also announced its first physical move into the Latin America region, establishing an office in São Paulo, Brazil.</