Spanish leader in surprise Second Life launch

Independent firm Cuatrecasas has marked a new phase in its expansion beyond its Spanish heartlands after launching a new office in Second Life, the virtual world boasting more than a million users globally.

Cuatrecasas becomes the first Spanish law firm to launch an office in the virtual world, joining mid-tier City firm Field Fisher Waterhouse in boasting a Second Life presence.

Cuatrecasas said it had launched the office to attracting young talent and to advise clients also looking to exploit Second Life.

Commenting on the unusual move, Cuatrecasas IT director Francesc Muoz, who headed up the project for the firm, said: "[Analysts] forecast that by 2011 80% of companies will be present in the virtual world, whether in Second Life or elsewhere.

"Therefore, the firm's three main goals in becoming established in this virtual world are to explore the new environment, provide advice on it and make the firm known."

It is not yet clear whether City ally Herbert Smith will share virtual office space with the Spanish heavyweight.