UGGC & Associes, the French ally of
UK national giant Addleshaw Goddard, has extended its reach overseas after taking on the entire Asian practice of domestic rival Adamas.
The deal adds 25 lawyers plus branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Taipei to UGGC’s network of offices, which also includes outposts in Brussels and Casablanca. Adamas partners Franck Desevedavy, Olivier Dubuis, Olivier Lefebure, Alina Quach and Arnaud Depierrefeu all transfer to UGGC as part of the move.
The practice focuses on areas including corporate, finance, intellectual property (IP) and environment law and will operate as UGGC Asia.
The move comes as part of a push by UGGC in emerging markets, with the United Arab Emirates next on the agenda. The deal also coincides with the creation by UGGC of an Asia desk, which Lefebure will head up, at its Paris hub.
The agreement was signed on 14 March and means UGGC now has around 150 lawyers in total, including 33 partners.
In the past Addleshaws, which has a non-exclusive referral relationship with UGGC, had enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Hong Kong firm Johnson Stokes & Master, which merged with US firm Mayer Brown earlier this year.
Following the loss of its Asian offices, Lyon-based Adamas is left with additional offices in Paris and Brussels.
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