Baker & McKenzie and DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary are fighting it out to take control of Coudert Brothers.
Coudert’s long-established Chinese practice remains the jewel in a depleted crown but the two firms are also keen on the firm’s Russian practice and the corporate practice in its New York headquarters.
DLA Piper refused to deny that it was in talks with Coudert. A Baker & McKenzie spokesperson said: “Like all leading law firms, we are continuously studying and exploring the market for strategic growth opportunities.
At any given time we may be in discussion with a number of individuals, practice groups or firms around the world. The nature of any such discussions is that they are kept confidential. We will report anything that is definitive at the appropriate time.”
