Closer links between UK and US law firms were the focus of a Law Society visit to Washington DC last week.

Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff hosted a networking reception for UK firms at the spring meeting of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) international law section.

The event is one of the most important of the year for international lawyers, with more than 1,500 attendees.

Working with UKTI London, the Law Society organised a programme of activities to help UK lawyers get the most out of the meeting and their time in Washington DC.

As part of the official programme, Scott-Moncrieff joined the panel at a session on the future of the legal profession and a networking event discussing the role of women in the law.

She also met foreign bar associations, including the Japanese Bar Association and the Korean Bar Association, as well as UK firms based in Washington DC.

Scott-Moncrieff said: ‘It may sound cliched to talk of a "special relationship" but the US is a natural partner for many UK law firms and their clients.

‘This is the fifth year the Law Society is attending the spring meeting to support our members in developing their transatlantic ties. We look forward to building further links in October as the ABA’s international section come together for their fall meeting in London.’

While many English firms have offices in New York, there is increased interest in Washington DC.

Magic circle firms Linklaters and Allen & Overy have both opened offices in the US capital in the past two years, joining rivals Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.