Growth in the valley

Osborne Clarke is spearheading a surge of UK law firms opening offices in the lucrative heart of the US technology capital, Silicon Valley.

The office, which opens next month, is the result of an initiative with the Bristol-based firm's European alliance partner firms and will trade under the name Osborne Westphalen in the US.

The office, managed by IT partner Angus Finnegan, will restrict its practice to UK and European law and to encouraging European companies looking to do business in the US.

Leslie Perrin, Osborne Clarke's managing partner, said that after a visit earlier this year, it had become clear that there was a work in 'tremendous quality and volume' in the area.

He added: 'London is a long way from California, where magic circle firms are not well regarded because companies don't like the loss of control and hourly rates.

They want to have an alternative and we can provide that especially when you add a pan-European angle to it.'

Recently renamed City IT practice Arnander Irvine Zietman, formerly Llewelyn Zietman, this week confirmed that it was moving ahead with plans to set up a practice in Silicon Valley through a joint venture partnership with an as yet unnamed New York firm.

Sue Allen