London LAWFUEL – The Law Firm Newswire – September 3, 2007 — The appointment enables the Riga law firm to extend its client service offering to include provision of a wide range of sophisticated, cross-border professional advisory services through MSI’s membership of carefully selected, highly skilled, independent professional firms located in 100 countries.
Latvia has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004, and investment is increasing in the country, particularly in the real estate sector. Joining MSI allows the Latvian law firm to capitalise on the increasing demand from international companies for legal services that can be provided by high quality local law firms. Just as importantly, joining an international law firm association enables Law Office O. Cers & J. Jurkans to retain its much-valued independence.
In addition to the high quality legal services available through Law Office O. Cers & J. Jurkans, SME businesses can also be confident of receiving high quality accounting, audit and tax services through MSI’s Latvian accounting firm member Hodgins & Partners. With two complementary firms in Latvia, MSI offers investors an alternative option when choosing professional advisors.
Janis Jurkans, the firm’s international contact partner, says: “Joining international law firm association MSI underscores our credentials as one of Latvia’s leading independent, local law firms, and one that is able to provide a wide range of commercial legal services to international companies investing in Latvia. Our appointment opens up many new referral and information exchange opportunities that will benefit our staff and clients.”
Founded in 1997 and with 12 lawyers, Law Office O. Cers & J. Jurkans provides a full range of commercial legal services, including labour law, real estate, debt collection, legal contracts, foreign investment advice, due diligence, litigation, arbitration and insolvency.
James Mendelssohn, MSI’s Chief Executive, comments: “MSI is increasing its footprint in those emerging markets where clients need to be able to call on high quality local firms that are not only technically sound, but also responsive and knowledgeable about the intricacies of doing business in developing economies. The admission of Law Office O. Cers & J. Jurkans is very much in line with MSI’s strategy of strengthening the association by only appointing firms that can demonstrate a dynamic and entrepreneurial approach to serving their clients.”
Mendelssohn continued, “In addition to the high quality legal services available through Law Office O. Cers & J. Jurkans, SME businesses can also be confident of receiving high quality accounting, audit and tax services through MSI’s Latvian accounting firm member Hodgins & Partners. With two complementary firms in Latvia, MSI offers investors an alternative option when choosing professional advisors.”
“Professional firms are facing similar challenges around the world. We have seen a huge increase in the number of firms applying for membership in recent months and we encourage applications from independent accounting and law firms in cities where MSI does not currently have member firms,” said Mendelssohn.
