UK management consultancy Jomati moved to strengthen its US expertise this week ahead of an expected surge in transatlantic law firm mergers.

The firm has sealed an alliance with US consultants Altman Weil, a matter of days after rival consultancy Hildebrandt International announced it had been acquired by US information giant The Thomson Corporation.


Williams: on US radar screen

Tony Williams, former Clifford Chance managing partner and Jomati founder, said the alliance with Altman Weil will make the consultancy well placed to advise on forthcoming mergers between UK and US law firms. He said: 'We saw a few transatlantic mergers last year and it is a trend that looks set to continue. The alliance means we will have a better understanding of firms and the cultural issues in each other's markets. We will also be more on the radar screen of the US firms.'

Last year Jomati advised US firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart on its tie-up with City firm Nicholson Graham & Jones, while Altman Weil acted for DLA on its merger with US firm Piper Rudnick Gray Cary.


Meanwhile, Hildebrandt International, which is headquartered in New Jersey but has an office in London, will continue to operate as an independent business following its acquisition by Thomson. However, it will be aligned to the Thomson's legal and regulatory group.


David Hanssens, chief strategy officer for Thomson legal and regulatory, said: 'We will combine Hildebrandt's expertise in consulting to legal organisations with the expertise of Thomson's strategic business consultants to deliver deeper, broader client service.'