One of Canada’s largest law firms, Gowlings, is to merge with the UK firm Wragge Lawrence Graham to create another global law firm to be called Gowling WLG.

joining with a British firm to create a partnership with global reach.

Gowlings has 650 lawyers and the new entity will have 1300 lawyers and associated professionals giving it the heft to take on larger deals in more markets.

The new firm will be specialising in various areas including life sciences, manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and other areas.

For Gary Graham, a partner in Gowlings’ Hamilton office, the need for the merger is shown by a recent case he worked on — a company in Guatemala working with a Canadian company to complete a deal in China.

“Everyone who practises business law today has noticed over the last decade just how international business has become,” he said. “We decided if we’re going to look after our clients in this new age, then we have to become more international.”

Gowlings’ Hamilton office has 38 lawyers and other professionals in addition to support staff.