Bryan Cave makes France debut with Dechert hires

Bryan Cave has expanded its European reach with the opening of its first French office in Paris.

The US firm has recruited corporate and M&A partner Kathie Claret and public and private funds partner Joseph Smallhoover, who will start up Bryan Cave's French practice after leaving Dechert's Paris office last week.

The opening of the Paris office marks the third European office for Bryan Cave, with the firm launching in Germany and Italy last year.

The Milan office opened ahead of its planned schedule, with former Willkie Farr & Gallagher partners Fulvio Pastore-Alinante and Paolo Barozzi recruited to head up the practice.

The news of the new office marks the latest a string of office openings for the US giant, with the firm most recently launching in San Francisco.

The San Francisco practice will focus on corporate, commercial, litigation and real estate and is led by litigation partner Lynn McCreary and target Bay Area clients and northern California.

Late last year, Legal Week reported that Bryan Cave is planning to open in Spain and Belgium.

A spokesperson from Dechert said: "We at Dechert are focusing on our practice group-driven growth strategy for Paris. We wish Kathie and Joe all the best with their new firm."