Morgan Lewis & Bockius has announced the acquisition of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel’s Paris office, encompassing a team of 54 lawyers. This strategic move comes in anticipation of Kramer Levin’s forthcoming merger with Herbert Smith Freehills, a merger from which the Paris office was notably excluded. As of January 1, Morgan Lewis will see its Paris presence expand to 23 partners and nearly 110 total lawyers.
The Paris office is Kramer Levin’s sole international base, and its transition to Morgan Lewis signifies a substantial strengthening of Morgan Lewis’s footprint in the European market. Key figures joining the firm include corporate partner Dana Anagnostou and private equity partner Sébastien Pontillo. This acquisition reflects an adjustment to the competitive legal landscape in Europe, especially as transatlantic collaborations continue to evolve.
For more information on the details and implications of this acquisition, you can read the full report on Bloomberg Law.