City firms focusing on expansion in Spain and Portugal

The Iberian peninsula is the new year venue of choice for expanding City law firms after Simmons & Simmons merged with its joint venture partner in Portugal, and Thomas Cooper & Stibbard announced plans to open in Spain.

Changes in local bar rules have allowed Simmons to merge formally with Grupo Legal Portugus, the joint venture partner, under the name Simmons & Simmons Rebelo de Sousa.

This adds four partners and 44 other legal staff in Lisbon.

In addition, joint venture offices in Oporto and Madeira will become part of the Simmons network.

Pedro Rebelo de Sousa, managing partner in Portugal, said 'it was always the intention of both firms to move in this direction'.

Thomas Cooper, which has a strong shipping bent, is to open in Madrid in May.

The office will operate with Albors Galiano & Co, a Spanish shipping and insurance firm.

Managing partner Tim Goode said the new office was 'key to the fulfilment' of the firm's international strategy.

It already has offices in Singapore, Athens and Vancouver.

Meanwhile, US firm Weil Gotshal & Manges has opened an office in Paris after merging with four-partner local firm Serra Leavy & Cazals.