Canadian law firm Nicholl Paskell-Mede LLP will merge with U.K.-based international firm Clyde & Co. on Sept. 1, the two firms said yesterday.

Though smaller in terms of the number of Canadian lawyers joining an international network, the merger is the second one of its type after Ogilvy Renault LLP officially joined the Norton Rose Group on June 1.

Specializing primarily in insurance law, the Canadian firm's team of 40 professionals, including 15 partners, will join Clyde's global network that includes 24 offices and 1,400 employees worldwide, the firms said in a statement.

This the Clyde's first foray into Canada, though it has three offices in the United States in New York, New Jersey, and San Francisco. In total, the U.K.-based firm has offices on every continent except Australia. It focuses on delivering a full range of legal services, especially those of a complex, high-profile, and multi-jurisdictional nature.

"Through this deal, NPM clients gain access to the expertise of Clyde and Co.'s renowned global insurance practice and an established international network," says Karen Earl, managing partner at the firm's Toronto office. "We will have greater capacity to serve our clients across jurisdictions and a platform for growth within Canada through incoming international work and expansion into other provinces."

James Burns, a Clyde & Co partner and board member, says Canada is an extremely attractive market globally due to the strength of its economy. "The Canadian insurance market is going from strength to strength and the U.K. insurance market is building up its presence in Canada," he adds. "NPM, as a top-rated Canadian insurance law firm with existing work for Lloyd's of London syndicates, is a natural fit with Clyde & Co."

There had been a trend of firms merging within Canada for years, but when Ogilvy Renault became Norton Rose OR LLP, it was the first international merger of its kind in Canada. As Nicholl Paskell-Mede also goes down the international merger route, it could be a sign of more of these deals to come.

For more on the merger, read the full article in Law Times.

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