International law firm Clifford Chance is to open an office in Romania after striking a deal with local practice Badea & Associatii.

The Bucharest-based firm, which was founded in 2002 and is led by partners Daniel Badea and Nadia Georgescu, has 24 fee-earners and has worked closely with Clifford Chance in recent years.


Nick Fletcher, managing partner of Clifford Chance's Warsaw office, will become a partner in the associated firm and be responsible for its integration into the wider network.



Michael Cuthbert, Clifford Chance's regional managing partner, said: 'The new office in Bucharest will be a hub for enhancing our presence in the region and will increase our capacity for many of our global clients already active in the emerging markets of eastern Europe.


'This move also reflects our intention to strengthen our central and eastern European practice and is a clear indication of the firm's commitment to the region.'


Rival firm Linklaters is thought to be the only other major City firm with a substantial, permanent presence in Romania, with 34 Romanian and international qualified lawyers based in the capital.