Law firms expand into unchartered territory

DLA Piper has become the first global law firm to have a truly pan-Nordic presence having announced that Finland’s Peltonen LMR has joined the firm’s DLA Nordic operation. With offices in Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm the firm now has more than 200 lawyers in the region offering domestic, regional and global capability across its various practices. The Nordic region forms part of DLA Piper's EMEA practice which is led by Co-Managing Directors, Barbara van Hussen and Juan Picon.

Meanwhile CMS Germany has become the first major international law firm to open a dedicated office in the Iranian capital. The Tehran office opened on Monday and is able to provide domestic legal advice as well as cross-border services. CMS has a network of 10 independent law firms with a total of around 3,000 legal professionals around the world.
 
Another international firm to close Abu Dhabi office
Following the lead from Australia’s Herbert Smith Freehills and US-based Latham & Watkins and Baker Botts, Simmons & Simmons is reportedly closing its Abu Dhabi office. Thenational.ae says that the firm will close the office by the end of April and serve existing clients from its Dubai office. Partners will relocate to either Dubai or London.
 
Dentons hires team for Milan
Rapid expansion continues at Dentons with the hire of a team of 11 lawyers, including two partners, for its Milan office. The partner hires are litigation and arbitration head Sara Biglieri and Andrea Fiorelli, who will lead a newly-established tax practice. The expansion brings the firm’s headcount in the office to 38 just four months after opening. The firm aims to offer a full service law firm across Italy.
 
Cyber Risk business unit announced by Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells has announced the formation of a new business unit to support its existing cyber security team. Cyber Risk Services will help business leaders with challenges of cross-jurisdictional regulation and will be staffed by risk and technical professionals. The new unit will work closely with lawyers and will be headed by Jeffrey Lolley.
 
Corrs Westgarth Chambers hires regulatory financial services expert
Peter Andersen has joined Corrs Westgarth Chambers as special counsel to advise domestic and offshore clients on regulatory banking and payment systems matters.  He will be based in Brisbane.