LAWFUEL – Legal Newswire – Law firm Eversheds has announced further expansion of its global offering with the addition of Swiss law firm Schmid Rechtsanwaelte to Eversheds International. Schmid has offices in both Zurich and Berne, and will operate locally from January 2008 as Schmid Eversheds. The move increases Eversheds’ global footprint to 36 offices in 21 countries and is another step in the continuing development of the firm’s rapid international growth.
Founded in the 2004, Schmid’s six founding partners all previously worked in international law firms and have practical experience abroad. Schmid Eversheds specialises in corporate, M&A, commercial and tax matters and has a strong litigation/arbitration team. Individual partners specialise in insurance, IP/IT, pharmaceutical and healthcare matters amongst others.
Commenting on the new agreement Alan Jenkins, chairman of Eversheds, said:
“Switzerland is a major source of and destination for foreign direct investment. It is vital that we are present in such regions where our clients want to do business. Schmid Eversheds has already met this need and by linking up with them, we further demonstrate to clients our increased ability to serve their international requirements.”
Eversheds already has experience of working with Schmid on a number of projects and the formal inclusion and association of Schmid within Eversheds International builds on this successful working relationship. Schmid Eversheds has national and international clients in various sectors, most of all in the pharmaceutical, health, food, transport, insurance and IT industry.
Peter J Schmid, Chairman of Schmid Eversheds, said:
“Almost all of our Swiss clients have international business links. Due to its favourable and very international environment – not only tax wise – Switzerland has a very high percentage of foreign enterprises with establishments and activities in Switzerland. To join Eversheds International substantially increases our service offering. Established law firms in Switzerland are rarely part of a larger international firm and therefore our relationship with Eversheds gives us a distinct advantage in the Swiss market. I have admired Eversheds client service excellence from afar and look forward to the collaboration.”
Schmid Eversheds has 6 partners and 15 fee-earners in total, and is a recognised representative of issuers at the SWX Swiss Exchange.
