Pressure Taskforce: firm approaches groups representing lawyers and other professionalsClifford Chance calls for Euro alliance to break down barriers to US practiceClifford Chance is looking to build a European pressure group of professional services providers - including lawyers - in an attempt to force the US to bring down barriers to practising.The firm's Brussels office is acting for the UK's Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in approaching groups representing lawyers, architects, engineers, consultants and other professionals to form the EU Professional Services Coalition.The move recognises the failure of national professional groups to persuade the European Commission to take up their individual issues with the US.

The Commission has indicated that it would look favourably on a pan-European coalition.Despite the ease with which US lawyers can practise and requalify in England and Wales solicitors often do not enjoy reciprocal rights in the US, where such matters are dealt with by individual states.Walter Grandpre, a senior lawyer in Clifford Chance's international trade law group, said the common US excuse that the government can do nothing about states' failure to implement rules is 'too easy'.Mr Grandpre added that the coalition plan comes 'in a good context' because of the current round of talks over the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); as part of this, previous US commitments to opening up to foreign trade in various sectors have to be reviewed.'Even when they have commitments, they are badly applied,' said Mr Grandpre.

'When they have no commitments, they refuse to enter negotiations.'Mr Grandpre said the coalition would only look to bring 'added pressure' on the Commission and not take more aggressive action at the World Trade Organisation.Clifford Chance's senior partner, Keith Clark, is the only lawyer sitting on European services leaders group, part of the European Services Network.

The network is a group of top industry representatives advising the Commission over GATS.However, Mr Grandpre stressed that the firm's work on the coalition was separate from the network.

The firm is acting as the coalition's co-ordinator and legal adviser, rather than as an active participant.Neil Rose