International law firm DLA announced today that it will integrate with DLA Group member SchutGrosheide, as part of its continued drive to become a top five European law firm by 2005.
With effect from 1 January 2004, SchutGrosheide, which is currently part of the DLA Group (an international association of leading law firms), will become part of DLA. This latest development follows on from DLA’s recent integrations with the Milan office of US law firm, Coudert Brothers and Austrian law firm Weiss-Tessbach, and with firms in Belgium and Spain last year.
Frans Stibbe will continue as Managing Partner of the newly integrated firm which will be known in the Netherlands as DLA SchutGrosheide.
Frans Stibbe said: “This is a natural step for us. We have been working together successfully for over three years now and know that we are a good cultural fit. Our integration with DLA means that we will be even better placed to service the changing needs of both our national and international clients.”
Nigel Knowles, Managing Partner of DLA, said: “This is great news and marks another important milestone in our drive to build a top 5 European full service law firm. We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with SchutGrosheide to date: the integration will further strengthen the relationship as well as offering greater scope to capitalise on cross-border opportunities, to the benefit of both clients and staff.”
SchutGrosheide was established in 1916 and is a full service law firm. It has 115 fee earners including 32 partners, located in its two offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
DLA has achieved excellent results over the past few years and is now in the top 10 in the UK and has a significant presence around the world. Following integration with SchutGrosheide, DLA will have over 3,400 staff – over 1,700 fee earners, including more than 400 partners globally. DLA’s international reach is further enhanced by being part of DLA Group, an international association of four leading law firms in Europe and Asia.
