Lax O’Sullivan Scott Lisus LLP has become the latest Canadian firm to go global, announcing a merger with London-based firm Kronick Blatter Peign, a Swiss verein. Following on the heels of Ogilvy Renault LLP’s tie-up with Norton Rose Group and rumours global powerhouse DLA Piper is scouting for a Canadian partner, the Lax O’Sullivan deal caps a busy few months in the Canadian legal marketplace.
The 14-lawyer Toronto litigation outfit will join KBP’s global network of more than 1,400 lawyers, under a new name, Lax Blatter. The firm will offer service in more than 43 countries in 39 languages, according to Clifford Lax, managing partner at Lax O’Sullivan.
“Our clients are increasingly international in scope and require their lawyers to serve their needs throughout the world,” he said
Ulrich Blatter, chair of KBP’s executive committee also welcomed the merger.
“We have wanted to have a Canadian presence for many years and we are delighted that Lax O’Sullivan Scott Lisus now forms part of our worldwide family,” he said in a statement, which also announced the firm will relocate its global headquarters to Toronto.
When reached by phone for further comment on the merger, all Lax would say was: “Ha, ha, ha.”
Lax did confirm the firm’s April Fools Day prank had been quite a success, with a variety of others calling to congratulate as well.
